Devices and methods of copper recovery

Abstract

Contemplated configurations and methods allow for effective removal of copper from aqueous media by selectively concentrating copper in a first stage, wherein competing metal ions are subjected to a redox reaction to thereby increase selective concentration. Copper is then plated in a flow through electrode from a relatively concentrated copper solution that is depleted from competing non-copper metals. In preferred aspects, the first stage provides a copper-depleted effluent that includes zinc and/or manganese for further recovery.

1 . A method of removing copper from an aqueous medium, comprising:
 providing an aqueous medium comprising copper and a second metal, wherein the copper and the second metal are in an ionic form;   performing a redox reaction in the aqueous medium under conditions that change valence of the second metal;   removing the second metal;   selectively enriching copper relative to the second metal to thereby produce a copper enriched solution; and   electrolytically depositing copper on a flow-through electrode.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second metal is ferrous iron (Fe-II), and wherein the redox reaction is an oxidation. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the aqueous medium further comprises at least one of a zinc ion and a manganese ion. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the redox reaction comprises oxidation with O2 of the second metal. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the oxidation is performed to achieve a ferric iron concentration of at least 90% of total iron ionic species. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the oxidation is performed under conditions that do not change the valence of the copper. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of selectively enriching copper is performed using an ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the copper enriched solution comprises copper at a concentration of at least 3000 ppm. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flow through electrode comprises graphite felt. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of depositing the copper produces a copper depleted catholyte that is used in the step of selectively enriching copper. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of enriching further produces a copper-depleted solution, and subjecting the copper-depleted solution to an ion exchange step to thereby isolate at least one of a zinc ion and a manganese ion. 
   
   
       12 . A remediation system comprising:
 a redox reactor that is configured to receive an aqueous medium comprising copper and a second metal, wherein the copper and the second metal are in an ionic form;   wherein the redox reactor is further configured to perform a redox reaction in the aqueous medium under conditions that change valence of the second metal;   a removal system that is configured to remove the second metal;   a concentration system that is fluidly coupled to the redox reactor and that is further configured to selectively enrich copper relative to the second metal to thereby produce a copper enriched solution; and   a first electrochemical cell that is fluidly coupled to the concentration system and that is further configured to include a flow-through electrode onto which copper is platable.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the copper ion is a cupric ion, wherein the second metal is ferric iron (Fe-III), wherein the aqueous medium further comprises ferrous iron (Fe-II), and optionally further comprises at least one of a zinc ion and a manganese ion, and wherein the redox reaction is an oxidation. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the redox reactor is further configured to oxidize at least 90% of the ferrous iron to ferric iron. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the concentration system comprises an ion exchange resin. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the concentration system is configured to provide a copper depleted eluent that is enriched in zinc. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the flow through electrode comprises a carbon felt.