Apparatus and method for recovery of metals from a body of fluid by electrodeposition

Abstract

This disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for recovering metals from fluid body(s) using electrodeposition, for instance for the recovery of metals from underwater/oceanic sources, e.g., in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents. It provides apparatuses for recovering at least one target metal substance from a body of a fluid, comprising: at least one pair (comprising a cathode and an anode) of electrodes, such that when the apparatus is used, at least one pair of the electrodes is presented to the body of fluid; and means for generating an electrical potential difference across the at least one pair of electrodes, so that the potential difference generated across the pair is such as to attract target metal substance(s) present in the body of fluid, for deposition on at least one cathode on the apparatus. It also provides methods for recovering metals from a body of fluid using electrodeposition and the described apparatus.

1 . An apparatus for recovering at least one target metal substance from a body of a fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) at least one pair of electrodes (in which each pair comprises a cathode and an anode), such that when the apparatus is used, at least one pair of the electrodes is presented to the body of fluid; and   (b) means for generating an electrical potential difference across the at least one pair of electrodes, when at least one of the pairs of electrodes is presented to the body of fluid, so that the potential difference generated across the pair is such as to attract one or more target metal substance present in the body of fluid, for deposition on at least one cathode on the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the fluid is water. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the fluid is fresh water. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the fluid is salt water. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the fluid comprises both fresh water and salt water. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the  claims 1  to  3 ,  5  or  6 , in which the body of fluid is a sea or an ocean. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body of fluid comprises at least one hydrothermal vent. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one target metal substance is one which is capable of being attracted by electrodeposition onto the cathode of at least one of the pair of electrodes, when an electrical potential difference of sufficient magnitude exists between the cathode and the anode of the pair. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one target metal substance comprises any one of the following:
 (a) Gold   (b) Silver   (c) Copper   (d) Nickel   (e) Iron   (f) Lead   (g) Platinum   (h) Ruthenium   (i) Rhodium   (j) Palladium   (k) Osmium   (l) Iridium   (m) one or more of the Rare Earth Elements of the Periodic Table;   (n) ions, chelates, complexed forms of, colloids and suspensions of, or other substances containing any one of, or combinations of two or more of (a) to (m); and   (o) combinations of any two or more of (a) to (n).   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises a main body portion. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the main body portion of the apparatus comprises a frame or other form of housing on which the at least one pair of electrodes is fitted or housed, or with which at least one of the at least one pair of electrodes is associated. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  or  claim 12 , in which the apparatus comprises at least one pair of electrodes of opposed polarity, and in which one of the electrodes in the at least one pair is fitted on the main body portion of the apparatus, and the other electrode is a satellite electrode (as defined in this specification). 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 11  to  13 , in which at least one of the pairs of electrodes is at least partially immersed in the body of fluid 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 11  to  13 , in which at least one of the pairs of electrodes is completely immersed in the body of fluid. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the capable of being submerged and operated in order to conduct a method of recovering at least one target metal substance at depths of up to 5000 metres below the surface of the body of fluid. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the means for generating an electrical potential difference across the at least one pair of electrodes, when the pair of electrodes is presented to the body of fluid, comprises providing an electrical generator or battery on or to work in association or co-operation with the apparatus, to generate the potential difference. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , in which the means for generating an electrical potential difference across the at least one pair of electrodes is capable of generating a potential, difference across the at least one pair of electrodes, of at least:
 (a) 12 Volts;   (b) 100 Volts;   (c) 200 to 999 Volts; or   (d) 1000 Volts   when used in the body of fluid.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is able to be immersed and operated in order to conduct a method of recovering at least one target metal substance from a body of fluid for up to 5 years from the time of initial presentation of the apparatus to the body of fluid. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the apparatus is able to be immersed and operated in order to conduct a method of recovering at least one target metal substance from a body of fluid for up to
 (a) One day;   (b) One month;   (c) One year;   (d) Two years; or   (e) Three years   from the time of initial presentation of the apparatus to the body of fluid.   
     
     
         21 . A method for recovering at least one target metal substance from a body of a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) presenting a metal recovery apparatus to a body of fluid, where the apparatus comprises:
 (1) at least one pair of electrodes (in which each pair comprises a cathode and an anode), such that when the apparatus is used, at least one pair of the electrodes is presented to the body of fluid; and 
 (2) means for generating an electrical potential difference across the at least one pair of electrodes; and 
   (b) operating the metal recovery apparatus so that at least one of the pairs of electrodes is presented to the body of fluid, and an electrical potential difference is generated across the at least one pair, so that the potential difference is such as to attract one or more target metal substances present in the body of fluid, for deposition on at least one cathode on the apparatus; and   (c) recovering the target metal substance from the apparatus