US4039403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrowinning metals
Assignee: IMI Refinery Holdings Ltd
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Filing: 1976-02-26
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1996-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of electrowinning metals in which the anode comprises a foraminate container containing particulate material chosen from the group electrically conducting non-polarizing compound of a metal and a non-metallic element.
Inventors
- 👤 David John Astley
- 👤 John Roger Bawden Gilbert
- 👤 Ian Robert Scholes
- 👤 Jan Stephan Jacobi
- 👤 Garth Royston Brookes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:50
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C7/00; C25C7/02; C25C1/00; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of electrowinning a metal from an aqueous solution containing ions of the metal which includes the steps of inserting an anode and a cathode into the solution, connecting the anode positively with respect to the cathode, and passing an electrical current through the anode and cathode, characterised in that the anode is a foraminate container containing particulate material comprising electrically conducting, non-polarising compounds of a metal and a non-metallic element, there being provided means to supply the current to the particulate material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of electrowinning a metal from an aqueous solution containing ions of the metal which includes the steps of inserting an anode and a cathode into the solution, connecting the anode positively with respect to the cathode, and passing an electrical current through the anode and cathode, characterised in that the anode is a foraminate container containing particulate material comprising electrically conducting, non-polarising compounds of a metal and a non-metallic element, there being provided means to supply the current to the particulate material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the container is of a non-conducting material with a current lead-in in contact with the particulate material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the foraminate container has a stereo-reticular array of plastics material on the inside between the container and the material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the stereo-reticular array is a mass of non-woven fibres.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the mass of fibres is a molded fibre structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the fibres are randomly bonded one to the other where they are in contact with one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the foraminate container has a stereo-reticular array of plastics material on the outside of the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the lead-in is a copper-cored titanium bar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 2 in which the container is constructed of a plastics material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the non-metallic element is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, boron or carbon, and the metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, lead and copper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the particulate material is selected from the group consisting of PbO 2 , MnO 2 , Co 2 O 3 and magnetite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the foraminate container is formed of titanium or a titanium alloy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the foraminate titanium container has a stereo-reticular array of plastics material on the outside thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the non-metallic element is silicon and the metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the container had a depth in excess of one half-meter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the container has a depth of one meter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the particulate material anodically dissolves at a rate less than half the faradaic dissolution rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the materials used as the anode materials contain as impurities several percent of elements other than those previously mentioned.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |