Metal recovery device

Abstract

Abstract A device for recovering metallic elements from plating solution baths, photographic and radiographic fixing solutions and other related processes to recover such metals from the solution for sale or use, to permit the reuse of fixing solution and to prevent undesirable metallic elements passing into sanitary sewers, contaminating water supplies and streams beyond acceptable levels of human consumption. It consists generally of a container whose outer wall is a cylindrical cathode and having an anode suspended centrally thereof. Electrical current is passed between the anode and the cathode through the liquid causing silver or other metallic material in solution in the fluid passed through the container to be deposited on the cathode by electrolysis. An impeller is disposed centrally and interiorly of the bottom of the container which is driven by an external motor through a magnetic drive. Fluid is admitted centrally of the upper wall of the container and discharged through the upper wall of the container couwardly of the center thereof. The impeller draws fluid through the central passage which is at lower pressure and the fluid is discharged through the outer passage which is at higher pressure, thereby eliminating the necessity of a pump to circulate the fluid therethrough. Although the device is primarily designed for recovery of silver from photographic fixer liquid, it may be employed to remove metal from other liquid.

Inventors

• 👤 William R Luck Jr

Bibliographic Details