Cell and method for the recovery of metals from dilute solutions
First Claim
1. An electrochemical cell for the removal of at least one metal from dilute solutions of the metal, said cell comprising a porous tubular support which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a current feeder for the cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode, a current feeder for the anode, the anode and cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing, the arrangement being such that in use during electrolysis the dilute solution from which the metal is to be removed is introduced into the cell by means of an inlet and flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet wherein said current feeder for the cathode is supported on said porous tubular support and said feeder extends along the entire length of said cathode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochemical cell is provided for removal of metals such as copper, lead, silver, tellurium, platinum, palladium or nickel from dilute solutions of the metal. The cell comprises a porous tubular support (18) which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material (19), a current feeder (15) for the cathode, a tubular anode (12) spaced from said cathode, a current feeder (16) for the anode, the anode and the cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing (11). In use the dilute solution from which the metal is to be removed is introduced into the cell through an inlet (13) and flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode to an outlet (14). The cell is useful for removing harmful metals from wastes so that they are environmentally acceptable for disposal and for recovery of valuable metals.
91 Citations
65 Claims
- 1. An electrochemical cell for the removal of at least one metal from dilute solutions of the metal, said cell comprising a porous tubular support which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a current feeder for the cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode, a current feeder for the anode, the anode and cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing, the arrangement being such that in use during electrolysis the dilute solution from which the metal is to be removed is introduced into the cell by means of an inlet and flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet wherein said current feeder for the cathode is supported on said porous tubular support and said feeder extends along the entire length of said cathode.
- 18. A method of removing at least one metal from a dilute solution, which method comprises passing a dilute solution of the said metal through an electrolytic cell, which cell comprises a porous tubular support which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a current feeder for the cathode which feeder is supported on said porous tubular support and extends along the entire length of said cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode and a current feeder for the anode, the anode and cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing, wherein the passing comprises introducing said dilute solution from which said at least one metal is to be removed into said cell by means of an inlet so said diluted solution flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet.
- 26. An electrochemical cell for the removal of at least one metal from dilute solutions of the metal, said cell comprising a porous tubular support of a non-electrically conducting material, which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a current feeder for the cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode, a current feeder for the anode, the anode and cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing, the arrangement being such that in use during electrolysis the dilute solution from which the metal is to be removed is introduced into the cell by means of an inlet and flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet, wherein said current feeder for the cathode is supported on said non-conducting porous tubular support and said current feeder extends along the entire length of said cathode.
- 38. A method of removing at least one metal from a dilute solution thereof which method comprises passing a dilute solution of said metal through an electrolytic cell, which cell comprises a porous tubular support of a non-electrically conducting material which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a current feeder for the cathode, which feeder is supported on said porous tubular support and extends along the entire length of said cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode and a current feeder for the anode, the anode and the cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing, wherein the passing comprises introducing said dilute solution from which said at least one metal is to be removed into said cell by means of an inlet so said dilute solution flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet.
- 46. An electrochemical cell for the removal of at least one metal from dilute solutions of the metal, said cell comprising a porous tubular support of a non-electrically conducting material which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a first current feeder for the cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode, a second current feeder for the anode, the anode and cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing, the arrangement being such that in use during electrolysis the dilute solution from which the metal is to be removed is introduced into the cell by means of an inlet and flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet, wherein said first current feeder for the cathode is supported on said non-conducting porous tubular support and said first current feeder extends along the entire length of said cathode, and wherein an ion-exchange membrane is disposed between said anode and said cathode.
- 58. A method of removing at least one metal from a dilute solution thereof which method comprises passing a dilute solution of said metal through an electrolytic cell, which cell comprises a porous tubular support of a non-electrically conducting material which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material, a current feeder for the cathode, which feeder is supported on said porous tubular support and extends along the entire length of said cathode, a tubular anode spaced from said cathode and a current feeder for the anode, the anode and the cathode having interposed therebetween an ion exchange membrane and being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing wherein the passing comprises introducing said dilute solution from which said at least one metal is to be removed into said cell by means of an inlet so said dilute solution flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode and out from the cell through an outlet.
Specification