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Electrochemical production of metal hydroxide using metal silicates

  • US 10,113,407 B2
  • Filed: 01/18/2011
  • Issued: 10/30/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for forming metal hydroxide, comprising:

  • a first container that has a top, said first container containing insoluble particles;

    a second container that is larger than said first container wherein said first container is located inside of said second container, wherein said first container is a porous container that includes porous container walls that extend entirely around said first container except for said top and wherein said porous container walls are made of a grate having a porosity such that water molecules and ions can pass through said grate but insoluble particles can not pass through said grate and said insoluble particles will be retained within said first container;

    a hydroxyl-producing cathode located inside said second container outside of said first container;

    hydroxyl ions produced by said hydroxyl-producing cathode;

    an acid-producing anode located inside said first container;

    acid produced by said acid-producing anode;

    a direct current electricity source connected to said hydroxyl-producing cathode and said acid-producing anode;

    direct current electricity produced by said direct current electricity source in a direct current electricity path between said hydroxyl-producing cathode and said acid-producing anode;

    a metal silicate mass located inside said first container, wherein said metal silicate mass is a metal silicate mass that has been ground, powdered, fractured, or drilled;

    metal silicate contained in said metal silicate mass that is contacted by said acid produced by said acid-producing anode, or by said hydroxyl ions produced by said hydroxyl-producing cathode, or by both said acid produced by said acid-producing anode and by said hydroxyl ions produced by said hydroxyl-producing cathode, wherein said metal silicate constitutes pieces or particles composed partly or entirely of metal silicate;

    a water solution located inside said first container and said second container, said water solution having an ion concentration, wherein said ion concentration is sufficient to allow said direct current electricity to pass in said direct current electricity path between said acid-producing anode and said hydroxyl-producing cathode; and

    wherein said first container that is a porous container with porous container walls is located inside of said second container with said porous container walls inside of said second container, said porous container containing said water solution and containing said acid-producing anode, said metal silicate mass, and said metal silicate wherein said porous container walls are immersed in said water solution inside said first container and said second container, wherein said hydroxyl-producing cathode is located in said second container outside of said first container that is a porous container;

    wherein said acid-producing anode and said hydroxyl-producing cathode are at least partially submerged in said water solution;

    wherein said direct current electricity is applied across said acid-producing anode and said hydroxyl-producing cathode, said direct current electricity being of sufficient current and voltage to generate said hydroxyl ions at said hydroxyl-producing cathode and generate said acid at said acid-producing anode, said acid or said hydroxyl ions being of sufficient concentration to convert at least some of said metal silicate into metal ions and silicate ions;

    wherein said silicate ions react with said acid produced by said acid-producing anode and form silica or silicic acid; and

    wherein said metal ions react with said hydroxyl ions produced by said hydroxyl-producing cathode to form the metal hydroxide.

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