System for power control in cells for electrolytic recovery of a metal

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for electrolytic processing or recovery of a metal from an electrolyte solution. The system may comprise electrolysis cells and a rectifier. The cells may comprise interleaved anodes and cathodes. The anodes or the cathodes of a first cell may have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a first electrical path having a first resistance. The anodes or the cathodes of a second cell may have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a second electrical path having a second resistance. The second resistance is configured to be higher than the first resistance. The system may further comprise a channel for electrolyte from the first cell to the second cell, the electrolyte containing the metal in a dissolved ionic form, metal concentration in the first cell being higher than in the second cell.

1 . A system for electrolytic processing of a metal, the system comprising a rectifier and at least two electrolysis cells for the metal, wherein the at least two cells comprise at least three anodes and at least two interleaved cathodes, the system being characterized in that:
 at least one of the anodes and the cathodes of a first cell have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier via a first electrical path having a first resistance;   at least one of the anodes and the cathodes of a second cell have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a second electrical path having a second resistance;   the second resistance is configured to be higher than the first resistance; and   the system further comprises a channel for electrolyte from the first cell to the second cell, the electrolyte containing the metal in a dissolved ionic form, metal concentration in the first cell being higher than in the second cell.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , where the first electrical path and the second electrical path comprise metal conductors. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second electrical path comprises a resistor and an anode or cathode bar in series, the anode or the cathode bar being connected to each anode or cathode, respectively, of the second cell. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second electrical path comprises an anode bar to which are connected electrical paths for each of the at least three anodes of the second cell, the electrical paths for each of the at least three anodes having respective resistors. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second electrical path comprises an anode or a cathode bar, respectively, of the first cell. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal is copper. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cell and the second cell are liberator cells. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises an intermediate voltage supply configured to supply local converters. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolytic process is electrowinning or electrorefining. 
     
     
         10 . A system for electrolytic processing of a metal, the system comprising a rectifier and at least two electrolysis cells for the metal and a rectifier, wherein a first cell comprises a plurality of cathodes interleaved between a plurality of anodes and a second cell comprises a plurality of cathodes interleaved between a plurality of anodes, the system being characterized in that:
 the anodes of the first cell have an electrical connection to a positive terminal of the rectifier via a first electrical path having a first resistance;   the anodes of the second cell have an electrical connection to a positive terminal of the rectifier via a second electrical path having a second resistance;   the number of anodes and cathodes in the second cell is configured to be higher than the number of anodes and cathodes in the first cell to diminish a difference between the first resistance and the second resistance; and   the system further comprises a channel for electrolyte from the first cell to the second cell, the electrolyte containing the metal in a dissolved ionic form, metal concentration in the first cell being higher than in the second cell.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the metal is copper. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first cell and the second cell are liberator cells. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the system further comprises an intermediate voltage supply configured to supply local converters. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the electrolytic process is electrowinning or electrorefining .