US3507770A - Apparatus for electrolytic refining of copper - Google Patents

Description

April 21,1970 c. G. FLEMING 3,507,770

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC REFINING OF COPPER Char/es 6. Fleming INVEN TOR.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC REFINING OF COPPER April 21, 1970 c. G. FLEMING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1967 Charles G. Fleming IINVENTORV I 9 BY WW April 21, 1970 v c. (5. FLEMING 3,507,770

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYTIC REFINING OF COPPER Filed Dec. 8, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Charles '6. Fleming INVENTOR.

Anomqs United States Patent US. Cl. 204-272 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method of electrolytically refining copper bearing ore and other ores bearing metallic components amenable to electrolytic deposition. The ore to be refined is placed in suspension in an electrolytic bath provided with a vertically disposed cylindrical cathode which remains stationary relative to a receptacle for the ore-electrolyte system. The apparatus utilized is provided with anode means disposed both interiorly and exteriorly of the cylindrical cathode. The method of the present invention provides for a rapid rate of deposition of the metallic component desired by providing electrolyte agitator means disposed both interiorly and exteriorly of the fixed cylindrical cathode means moving relative to the electrodes. The utilization of the electrolyte agitator means permits the imposing of a substantially higher current density within the electrolytic bath than would be possible were the electrolyte to remain relatively quiescent.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the electrolytic refining of ore. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the more efficient refining of metal bearing ores amenable to electrolytic deposition. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the direct, efficient, economical production of metallic sheet material in an electrolytic apparatus.

Numerous electrolytic apparatuses have been propesd heretofore for recovering the metallic content of ores. However, many such apparatuses are characterized by inherent operational or constructional deficiencies which render them unsuitable for the efficient, economical refining of ores for the recovery of the metallic component thereof.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for the efiicient, economical recovery of the metallic content of ores in sheet form.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for the electrolytic refining of ores wherein an ore-electrolyte system is subjected to agitation by means disposed interiorly and exteriorly of a vertically disposed cylindrical cathode.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus for the electrolytic refining of ore, and particularly copper bearing ore, wherein the metallic component being recovered is electrolytically deposited upon a cylindrical cathode drum formed of stainless steel sheet material.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel electrolytic refining apparatus of the aforementioned type wherein the electrolytically deposited sheet material consisting of the metallic content of the ore can be recovered from the electrolytic apparatus without removal of the cylindrical stainless steel cathode upon which it is deposited.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of non-electrically conductive strips or split tubes to define the finished edges of the sheets desired during electrolytic deposition thereof.

3,507,770 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 Still a further object of the present invention involves the utilization of a pulsating current input to an electrolytic cell of the aforementioned construction so as to allow much higher amperage input per square foot, i.e., current density, than possible with electrolytic apparatuses of somewhat analogous construction proposed heretofore.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrolytic apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of certain details of an interior anode means of the device of FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the plane of the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 44 of FIGURE 1 and showing certain constructional details of an exteriorly disposed anode means provided in the exemplary device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a cylindrical agitator means rotatably mounted interiorly of a cylindrical cathode means provided in the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary cylindrical cathode fixedly mounted within the apparatus of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a rotatably mounted cylindrical agitator operatively disposed exteriorly of the cylindrical cathode of FIGURE 6.

Briefly, the method of the present invention provides for the efiicient, economical production of metallic sheet material directly from a metallic component that can be electrolytically deposited from an ore bearing such metallic component by the utilization of an electrolytic apparatus having a vertically disposed cylindrical stainless steel fixed cathode and rotatably journaled electrolyte agitators disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the cylindrical cathode and including fixed anode means mounted interiorly and exteriorly of the rotatably journaled agitators.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and more particularly FIGURES l and 2, it will be seen that the exemplary electrolytic apparatus indicated genera ly at 10 therein includes a generally cylindrical tank means 12 including a sidewall 14 and bottom wall 16. A tank bottom liner 18 formed of a non-electrically conductive material, such as polystyrene foam for example, provides a non-electrically conductive support for a generally cylindrical or tubular cathode means indicated at 20 upon which the metallic component of an ore to be refined is deposited. The electrolytic apparatus 10 further includes interiorly disposed anode means 22 and exteriorly disposed anode means 24. For purposes of discussion herein it will be understood that the anode means 22 and 24 are referred to as being disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the generally cylindrical cathode means 20. Rotor means indicated generally at 26 is rotatably journaled within the tank means 12, in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter. The rotor means 26 includes a pair of generally cylindrical members 28 and 30 mounted for concentric rotation relative to the cylindrical cathode means 20. The interiorly disposed cylindrical member 28 is operatively positioned radially spaced from or intermediate the interior surface of the cathode means 20 and the interior anode means 22 while the exteriorly disposed cylindrical member 30 is operatively positioned intermediate the exterior surface of the cylindrical cathode means 20 and the exterior anode means 24.

Referring now in greater detail to the constructional features of the exemplary embodiment 10 illustrated, it will be seen that the upper portion of the tank 12 is provided with a support and rotary journaling means indicated generally at 32 which includes an elongated stationary bridge member 34 having downturned edge portions 36 adapted to removably position the agitator support and journal means 32 on the upper rolled edge 38 of the sidewall 14 of the tank means 12. The support means 32 further includes an upstanding journal support member 40 fixed to the bridge member 34 and provided with a journal means 42 concentrically disposed relative to a second journal means 44 carried by the bridge member 34. A vertically disposed shaft 46 is rotatably journaled within the journal means 42 and 44, which in the embodiment illustrated comprise anti-friction bearings, and upon the end of the shaft by means of keyed hub 48 is nonrotatably mounted the rotatably journaled agitator means 26 which includes a rotatably journaled bridge member 50 provided with integral downturned annular portions 52 and 54 to which are removably secured the interior cylindrical member 28 and the exterior cylindrical member 30, respectively. The rotor means 26 is rotated at a selectively variable r.p.m. by drive means 56 including a drive sheave 58, keyed to the upper portion of the shaft 46 and driven by a drive belt 60 driven by a suitable source of power, such an electric motor, etc., not shown. To ensure that electrolyte within the tank means 12 does not remain quiescent adjacent the upper surface of the bottom liner 18, a pair of annular recesses indicated at 19 are provided in the upper surface of the liner 18 for the reception of the lower edge portions of the interior and exterior members 28 and 30 respectively. As indicated generally at 21 the liner 18 is further provided with tank drain means including conduits in communication with both the upper surface of the liner 18 and the annular recesses 19 therein, so as to permit complete drainage of electrolyte from within the tank means 12 as required.

With further regard to the cylindrical members 28 and 30, and as will be best appreciated from the perspective views thereof comprising FIGURES and 7, respectively, the interiorly disposed member 28 includes agitating fin means 62 including is imperforate except for apertures 64 and wherein agitating fins are formed by inwardly and outwardly struck portions thereof. More particularly, as best appreciated from a simultaneous consideration of FIGURES 1 and 5, the member 28 is provided with vertically disposed generally straight agitating fins 66 disposed exteriorly and interiorly, which in the embodiment shown is provided with four such agitator fins. The agitator fins 66 are alternated with a plurality of vertically disposed angulated agitator fins 68 also disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the member 28. The exteriorly disposed member 30 is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed straight agitator fins 70 generally formed by inwardly struck-out portions of the member 30, the inwardly striking of which also assists in forming apertures 72 therein. However, the fins 70 of the exteriorly disposed member 30 are only situated on the inner side thereof. Furthermore, the member 30 is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed angulated agitator fins 74 generally disposed only on the exterior of the member 30. It will be appreciated that the members 28 and 30 are normally rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as illustrated, whereby the agitator fins 66, 68, 70 and 74 impart a highly desirable, beneficial movement to an electrolyte within the tank 12 which is normally maintained to or at a maximum level indicated generally at 80 in phantom lines in FIGURE 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the generally cylindrical cathode means 20 and as best appreciated from a consideration of FIGURE 6, the cathode 20 includes a pair of vertically and oppositely opposed channel members 82 having opposed vertical grooves therein to retainably receive the opposed edge portions of two sheets 84 of stainless steel which when so received cooperate to form a generally cylindrical member. The channel members 82 are preferably formed of a non-electrical conductive material, i.e., a natural or synthetic resinous substance, for example, so as to preclude the deposition of metal contiguous therewith. In addition, the cylindrical cathode 20 may further be provided with a plurality of non-electrically conductive strips, such as the vertically disposed strips 86, for example, disposed both on the interior and exterior of the stainless steel sheets 84. The positioning of the strips 86 is merely illustrative and it will be understood that inasmuch as the presence of the strips 86 precludes the deposition of metal at points contiguous there-with the configuration, size, etc., of metallic sheets formed on the cathode 20 may be predetermined by the preselected positioning of the strips 86. Thus, it will be appreciated that the strips 86 may be disposed vertically, horizontally, diagonally, etc, As seen best in FIG- URE 2, the cathode 20 is preferably sized so as to project upwardly a short distance above the normal high level mark of electrolyte within the tank 12, which configuration is preferred to assist in facilitating the stripping of metallic sheets 90 deposited thereon, as seen in FIGURE 2. The cathode 30 is operatively connected to a suitable source of electrical current by the conductor leads 92 which pass upwardly through the bottom wall 16 and liner 18 of the tank 12 and are connected to the cathode 20 by suitable means as at 94 which do not interfere with the smooth arcuate inner and outer surfaces of the area of the cathode upon which metal 90 is to be deposited for the formation of sheet material.

Referring now in greater detail to the constructional details of the interior and exterior anode means 22 and 24 respectively, and as best seen from a simultaneous consideration of FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the exteriorly disposed anode means 24 comprises a plurality of substantially insoluble elongated vertically disposed anodes 96 each insulatively mounted relative to the tank wall 14 by a non-electrically conductive insulator 98 and connected in parallel electrical relation by an annular bus bar 100 appropriately mounted to the wall 14 of the tank 12 by a continuous or intermittent insulator 102, as seen in FIGURE 2.

With regard to the interior anode means 22 it will be seen that it includes a generally hollow upstanding post 104 appropriately sealed against the entry of electrolyte thereinto, and provided with a plurality of vertically disposed elongated radially spaced interior anodes 106 insulatively mounted on the post 104 by appropriate insulators 108 interposed between the interior anodes 106 and the post 104. The interiorly disposed anodes 106 are electrically connected in parallel by the branched electrical lead 110. Thus, it will be appreciated that the exterior anode members 96 and interior anode members 106 are connected in parallel electrical relation.

Thus, by locating the anodes both interiorly and exteriorly of the cylindrical cathode 20 it is possible to double the production of an electrolytic cell, such as the exemplary cell 10, constructed in accordance with this invention inasmuch as both the interior and exterior surfaces of the cathode have the metallic component of the ore being refined being deposited thereon.

Although the specific apparatus involved in supplying electrical energy to the respective anodes and cathodes of the exemplary cell 10 does not comprise a novel portion of this invention, it has been found preferable to utilize AJC. current converted to full wave DC. by means of transistor rectifiers and wherein the DC. current is pulsated as it is conducted along paths extending through the openings 64 and 72 in the rotating members 28 and 30. While tests conducted have not shown the maximum amperage usable it has been determined that an electrolytic cell constructed in accordance with this invention may be expeditiously operated at a current density of 300 amps., i.e. 300 a'mperes per square foot of cathode surface and wherein the higher amperage used the greater the deposition of metal per unit of time With more specific regard to the method of the present invention, from the foregoing it will be appreciated that the introduction of a copper sulfate-sulfuric acid electrolyte, for example, into the tank 12 to the level indicated at 80, followed by the continuous agitation thereof by the agitator means 26, a high current density can be imposed on the cell as briefly discussed hereinabove. It will be appreciated, that the cell 10 is also preferably provided with safety cutolf switch means, not shown, to cut off such electrical input should agitation of the electrolyte cease due to a malfunction of the agitator drive means. Furthermore, it has been found desirable to alter the rpm. of the rotor means 26 proportionally with the current density imposed on the cell 10. Thus, from the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the method of the present invention utilizes apertured members 28 and 30 respectively through which electrolytic current paths are established to maintain sufiicient agitation of electrolyte within the cell 10 to permit substantially nonburning deposition of a metallic component of the electrolyte on the cylindrical cathode 20.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that an electrolytic cell constructed, and operated, in accordance with the method of the present invention, provides a faster, less expensive means of producing sheet metals by the utilization of current densities substantially in excess of that utilized heretofore. In addition, metal bearing ore may be directly reduced with the attendant saving of smeltering, rolling, etc. costs and wherein metallic sheet material of desired size and thickness may be produced in an electrolytic apparatus wherein the necessity for continual replacement of anodes and cathodes is greatly reduced.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and method described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An apparatus for recovering the metallic content of ores comprising an electrolyte receiving tank means, a vertically disposed generally cylindrical stationary cathode means mounted in said tank means, stationary anode means mounted within said tank means interiorly and exteriorly of the interior and exterior surfaces of said generally cylindrical cathode means, and rotor means operatively positioned radially spaced between the cathode and anode means within said tank means for movement relative to said cathode means and said anode means and means mounted by the rotor means for establishing current paths through the electrolyte which is maintained in motion relative to the interior and exterior surfaces of said generally cylindrical cathode means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotor means includes agitator support and journaling means carried by the upper portion of said tank means, and first and second generally cylindrical apertured members rotatably carried by said agitator support and journaling means for rotary movement about a vertical axis generally concentric with said generally cylindrical stationary cathode means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first agitator member is operatively positioned intermediate said interiorly disposed anode and the interior surface of said generally cylindrical cathode, and saidsecond agitator member being operatively positioned intermediate said exteriorly disposed anode means and the exterior surface of said generally cylindrical stationary cathode means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each agitator member comprises a generally cylindrical member provided with a plurality of through apertures and including interiorly and exteriorly disposed integral agitator fins.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said agitator fins are disposed generally normal to the interior and exterior surfaces of said agitator member and are disposed axially of said agitator member, said agitator fins terminating intermediate the upper and lower ends of said agitator members.

6. Apparatus for electrolytically recovering metal on a tubular cathode having interior and exterior surfaces, comprising a tank adapted to contain an electrolyte, a bottom liner in tne tank fixedly supporting the cathode therein, anode means fixedly mounting by the tank radially inward of and radially outward of the cathode for conducting current to the electrolyte in contact with said surfaces of the cathode, rotor means rotatably mounted within the tank in enclosing relation to the cathode having angularly spaced openings through which current is conducted by the electrolyte to the surfaces of the cathode, and means for imparting rotation to the rotor means relative to the anode means and the cathode.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the bottom liner is provided with annular grooves receiving the rotor means in con-conductive relation to the cathode.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said rotor means includes a pair of generally cylindrical members radially spaced inwardly and outwardly of the surfaces on the cathode and electrolyte agitating fins projecting from the members adjacent to the openings therein.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said rotor means includes a pair of generally cylindrical members radially spaced inwardly and outwardly of the surfaces on the cathode and. electrolyte agitating fins projecting from the members adjacent to the openings therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,440,091 12/1922 Long 204272 1,959,531 5/1934 Hickman et a] 204-273 2,015,304 9/1935 Frase 204273 2,364,564 12/1944 Strickland et al. 204-272 JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner D. R. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 204-106, 273

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