Electrolytic cell for removal of material from a solution

Abstract

An electrolytic cell for the recovery of material as a powder or flakes from a solution, includes a cell cavity for containing the solution, a rotatable electrode in the cavity having a pair of opposite electrode faces, and a counter electrode in spaced and opposing relationship with the respective opposite electrode faces of the rotatable electrode to supply a current through solution in the cavity to permit extraction of the material by electrochemical reaction. A vibrator directs vibrational energy toward the rotatable electrode to dislodge material extracted as a powder or flakes from the solution by an electrochemical reaction.

1 . An electrolytic cell for the recovery of material as a powder or flakes from a solution, comprising: 
 a cell cavity for containing the solution;    a rotatable electrode in the cavity having a pair of opposite electrode faces;    counter electrode portions in spaced and opposing relationship with said respective opposite electrode faces of the rotatable electrode to supply a current through solution in the cavity to permit extraction of the material by electrochemical reaction; and    a vibrator for directing vibrational energy toward the rotatable electrode to dislodge material extracted as a powder or flakes from the solution by an electrochemical reaction.    
   
   
       2 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein said counter electrode portions define a channel receiving said rotatable electrode.  
   
   
       3 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 2 , wherein said rotatable electrode is cylindrical and said counter electrode portions define an annular channel accommodating a cylindrical wall of said rotatable electrode, wherein inner and outer surfaces of said cylindrical wall provide said opposite electrode faces.  
   
   
       4 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 3 , wherein said rotatable electrode and said counter electrode portions have a common axis.  
   
   
       5 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 4 , wherein the radial distance from an inner electrode portion defining to the inner face of the rotatable electrode is the same as the radial distance from the outer face of the rotatable electrode to the outer electrode portion.  
   
   
       6 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a meniscus breaker to inhibit the rising of liquid in the cell at tangential speeds of the rotatable electrode in excess of 1 m/sec.  
   
   
       7 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 6 , wherein the meniscus breaker is shaped to permit the passage of liquid and solid particles downwardly and the evolution of gases from the cell upwardly.  
   
   
       8 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein said vibrator is an ultrasonic generator.  
   
   
       9 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 8 , wherein the ultrasonic generator is in fixed in said cavity and includes transducers facing said respective opposite faces.  
   
   
       10 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 8 , wherein the ultrasonic generator is retractable so that it can direct ultrasonic energy selectively to either of said opposite faces.  
   
   
       11 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 10 , further comprising a sliding mechanism to slide the ultrasonic generator into position relative to the rotatable electrode.  
   
   
       12 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of said rotatable electrodes located inside the cell cavity.  
   
   
       13 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of sets of said counter electrode portions located inside the cell cavity and associated with said respective rotatable electrodes.  
   
   
       14 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 3 , further comprising an internal holder for guiding and securing a shaft of the rotatable electrode.  
   
   
       15 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 14 , wherein the internal holder is mounted on one or more legs placed in such a way that the holder is securely fixed inside the cell cavity and liquid flow is not restricted.  
   
   
       16 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 13 , where the electrodes are configured so that the same current is applied to each one.  
   
   
       17 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic generator is configured to work during or after electrolytic deposition.  
   
   
       18 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical electrode has an opening to permit liquid to pass over either face of the rotatable electrode.  
   
   
       19 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable electrode has a sponge or mesh type grating configuration.  
   
   
       20 . A method for extracting material from a solution comprising: 
 providing an electrolytic cell including a rotating electrode having a pair of opposite electrode faces and counter electrode portions in spaced and opposing relationship with said respective opposite electrode faces of the rotating electrode;    introducing a solution containing the material into the electrolytic cell;    applying a direct current to the solution between the electrodes so that the material becomes deposited on both said opposite faces of the rotating electrode as a powder or flakes by electrochemical reaction; and    dislodging the material as a powder or flakes from the rotating electrode with vibrational energy.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the direct current is switched off at intervals, and during said intervals said vibrational energy is directed toward the rotatable electrode.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said current is switched off for 1 to 4 minutes every 24-36 hours.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the tangential speed of the rotatable electrode is at least 1 m/sec.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the solution contains a metal and the rotating electrode forms a cathode.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the solution contains an organic compound and the rotating electrode forms an anode.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the rotating electrode and the counter electrode portions form a concentric arrangement.