US3787293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for hydroelectrometallurgy
Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
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Filing: 1971-02-03
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1991-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A hydroelectrometallurgy method comprising suspending particles of a crude metal or metal sulfide in the anode zone and seed particles of pure metal in the cathode zone, causing such particles to collide with the surfaces of the anode and cathode, respectively, and thereby effecting the corresponding electrochemical reaction on each of the particles, whereby metal ions are formed in the anode zone and the seed particles grow into coarse particles in the cathode zone as the result of precipitation of the metal thereon. According to this method, since the total surface area of the particle is very large, a greater electric current can be applied as compared with the conventional electrolytical refining or winning method, and the manufacturing rate of pure metal can be increased greatly.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kametani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:13
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C7/00; C25C7/002; C25C1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1, wherein electrolyte solution is continuously fed into the cathode zone so that the hydrostatic pressure in said cathode zone is maintained at a level higher than the hydrostatic pressure in said anode zone, to thereby prevent the migration of soluble and insoluble impurities contained in the starting material from said anode zone into said cathode zone through said diaphragm, and said impurities are continuously discharged together with the electrolyte solution discharged from said anode zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the impurities are removed from the discharged electrolyte solution containing the impurities and clarified electrolyte solution from which the impurities have been removed is recycled to said cathode zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said starting material is a metal sulfide of a low electric conductivity and at least one member selected from ferric and cupric ions capable of accepting an electron from said metal sulfide and donating it to the anode is present in the electrolyte solution in said anode zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said particles of starting material and seed particles of the pure metal are continuously fed into said anode zone and cathode zone, respectively, and coarse particles formed by the cathodic precipitation of the metal onto said seed particles are continuously withdrawn as the product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, whereiN said particles of starting material and seed particles are suspended in the electrolyte solution by imparting vertical and horizontal vibrations to the electrolyte solution.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for the aqueous electrolytic precipitation of a metal as particles from an electrolyte solution containing ions of the metal selected from zinc, iron, cobalt, nickel, tin, lead, and copper as a salt dissolved therein, which comprises introducing particles of an insoluble metal into an anode zone of an electrolytic cell having an insoluble anode and introducing seed particles and the electrolyte solution containing the metal ions to be precipitated into a cathode zone of said electrolytic cell having a cathode, wherein said cathode zone is separated from said anode zone by a water-permeable diaphragm, said particles of an insoluble metal and seed particles being kept in the suspended state by agitation and by passing an electric current through said anode and cathode, the particles of said insoluble metal being positively charged due to collision with said anode and the liberation of oxygen gas takes place at the surface of said insoluble metal particles, said seed particles being negatively charged due to collision with said cathode and the metal ions in the electrolyte solution are cathodically precipitated as the metal onto said seed particles, the seed particles being of the pure metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said seed particles of the pure metal are continuously fed into the cathode zone, and coarse particles formed by the cathodic precipitation of the metal on said seed particles are continuously withdrawn as the product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein said particles of an insoluble metal and seed particles are suspended in the electrolyte solution by imparting vertical and horizontal vibrations to the electrolyte solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2761829A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |