Continuous electrowinning process and system thereof

Abstract

A continuous electrowinning system 100 comprises, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a cell body 106 configured to maintain electrolyte solution at a high pressure and/or temperature within the cell body 106; at least one anode 174; at least one cathode 172; an inlet 110 configured for receiving an influent stream 200 of electrolyte solution; a first outlet 120 configured for discharging an effluent stream 220 of spent electrolyte solution; a second outlet 130 configured for removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate 230; and a residence chamber 160 configured to dynamically and continuously transfer electrolyte solution from said inlet 110 to said first outlet 120 and increase residence time of said electrolyte solution between said at least one anode 174 and said at least one cathode 172, the residence chamber 160 comprising one or more channels 162 which are configured to provide a forced flow 212 of electrolyte solution therein which is strong enough to continuously dislodge and/or move cathode slime/sludge concentrate 204, 206 along and out of said one or more channels 162. Also disclosed, is a method 1000 of continuous electrowinning.

1 . A continuous electrowinning system comprising:
 a cell body configured to maintain electrolyte solution at a high pressure and/or temperature within the cell body;   a plurality of anodes;   a plurality of cathodes nested with said anodes;   an inlet configured for continuously receiving an influent stream of   electrolyte solution, the inlet being configured to direct portions of the influent stream between said anodes and cathodes;   a first outlet configured for continuously discharging an effluent stream of spent electrolyte solution;   a second outlet configured for removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate; and   a residence chamber configured to dynamically and continuously transfer electrolyte solution from said inlet to said first outlet and increase residence time of said electrolyte solution between said anodes and said cathodes, the residence chamber comprising a plurality of channels defined between said anodes, said cathodes, and a number of insulators separating the anodes from the cathodes,   
       wherein the plurality of channels are configured to provide a forced flow of electrolyte solution therein which is strong enough to continuously dislodge and/or move cathode slime/sludge concentrate along and eventually out of said plurality of channels, and,
 wherein one or more protuberances extend from the anodes and/or the cathodes and form upper and lower walls of each of the channels. 
 
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said channels comprise one or more portions of a helix, a spiral, a coil, a compound curve, a 3D-spline curve, or a serpentine path. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the anodes and the cathodes are configured as sleeves having different diameters. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more protuberances extend in a helical path, a spiral path, a coil, a compound curve, a 3D-spline curve, or a serpentine path. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more protuberances extend radially-inwardly or radially-outwardly. 
     
     
         7 . A method of continuous electrowinning comprising the steps of:
 providing an electrowinning system comprising a cell body configured to maintain electrolyte solution at a high pressure and/or temperature within the cell body; a plurality of anodes; a plurality of cathodes nested with said anodes; an inlet configured for receiving an influent stream of electrolyte solution, the inlet being configured to direct portions of the influent stream between said anodes and cathodes; a first outlet configured for discharging an effluent stream of spent electrolyte solution; a second outlet configured for removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate; and a residence chamber configured to dynamically and continuously transfer electrolyte solution from said inlet to said first outlet and increase residence time of said electrolyte solution between said anodes and said cathodes, the residence chamber comprising a plurality of channels, defined between said anodes, said cathodes, and a number of insulators separating the anodes from the cathodes, wherein the plurality channels are configured to provide a forced flow of electrolyte solution therein which is strong enough to continuously dislodge and/or move cathode slime/sludge concentrate along and eventually out of said plurality of channels;   dynamically and continuously feeding electrolyte solution into said inlet; and   dynamically and continuously removing spent electrolyte solution from said first outlet.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said one or more channels comprise one or more portions of a helix, a spiral, a coil, a compound curve, a 3D-spline curve, or a serpentine path. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the anodes and the cathodes are configured as sleeves having different diameters. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more protuberances extend from the anodes and/or the cathodes and form upper and lower walls of the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more protuberances extend in a helical path, a spiral path, a coil, a compound curve, a 3D-spline curve, or serpentine path. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more protuberances extend radially-inwardly or radially-outwardly. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate from the system via said second outlet. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A replacement anode or cathode for a continuous electrowinning cell comprising a cell body configured to maintain electrolyte solution at a high pressure and/or temperature within the cell body; a plurality of anodes; a plurality of cathodes nested with said anodes; an inlet configured for continuously receiving an influent stream of electrolyte solution, the inlet being configured to direct portions of the influent stream between said anodes and cathodes; a first outlet configured for continuously discharging an effluent stream of spent electrolyte solution; a second outlet configured, for removing cathode slime/sludge concentrate; and, a residence chamber configured to dynamically and continuously transfer electrolyte solution from said inlet to said first outlet and increase residence time of said electrolyte solution between said anodes and said cathodes, the residence chamber comprising a plurality of channels defined between said anodes, said cathodes, and a number of insulators separating the anodes from the cathodes, wherein the plurality of channels are configured to provide a forced flow of electrolyte solution therein which is strong enough to continuously dislodge and/or move cathode slime/sludge concentrate along and, eventually out of said plurality of channels, the replacement anode or cathode comprising:
 one or more protuberances which extend from the replacement anode or cathode which, by virtue of said nested configuration, are configured to form upper and lower walls of each of the channels.