US3821097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current density redistributing anode
Assignee: Huntington Alloys Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-27
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Non-ferrous metals are electrowon from aqueous electrolytes at high current densities, without independent agitation to overcome concentration polarization at the cathode, by the use of special electrolytic cells including insoluble anodes that control the current density at particular levels of the electrolyte so that greater densities can be employed at the upper levels by virtue of the agitation induced by gases evolved at the anode, while at the lower levels smaller current densities are employed to avoid problems associated with concentration polarization. Current density control can be achieved by using a downwardly tapered anode, an anode having smaller working surfaces at its lower extremities or an anode made of special materials having preselected resistivities or by placing a non-conductive multiperforate diaphragm between the lower portions of the anode and cathode. The stirring action of the gases evolved at the anode can be enhanced by incorporating a controlled amount of a surfactant in the electrolyte.
Inventors
- 👤 V Ettel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:48
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C7/00; C25C7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for electrowinning copper from solution which comprises: establishing a bath of an electrolyte having copper dissolved therein; establishing an electrowinning cell by immersing in the electrolyte an insoluble anode and a substantially vertically disposed cathode, upon which dissolved metal values are electrodeposited, to provide a pair of spaced and opposed anode and cathode working surfaces, the working surfaces having corresponding opposed upper and lower regions; increasing the electrical resistance of the current path from the upper anode region through the anode and the electrolyte to the cathode with increasing electrolyte depth so that lower current densities between the corresponding regions are Produced for increasing electrolyte depths; and passing electrical current between the anode and cathode via the electrolyte to establish an average current density, to electrodeposit copper on the cathode and to evolve gas at the anode, which evolved gas provides increasingly efficient agitation of the electrolyte so that a vertical cathode current density limit differential is established whereby the current density between the anode and cathode at any particular depth is controlled so that it approaches but does not exceed the cathode current density limit for smooth plating at that depth to thereby provide an overall higher average current density whereby productivity of the electrolytic cell is increased by at least 10 percent, and thick, smooth electrodeposits are produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the electrolyte contains a surfactant in small but effective amounts to increase the stirring action of gases released at the anode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the electrolyte contains a surfactant in an amount of at least about one part per million per liter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the electrolyte contains a surfactant in an amount up to about 500 parts per million per liter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the electrolyte contains a surfactant in an amount between about 10 parts per million per liter and 50 parts per million per liter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the electrolyte contains a surfactant selected from the group consisting of the sodium salt of dodecylated oxydibenzene disulfonate, dodecylated oxydibenzene disulfonic acid, sodium N-alkylcarboxy sulfosuccinate and sodium alkylsulfosuccinate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for electrowinning copper from solution which comprises: establishing an electrowinning cell by vertically immersing a cathode, upon which copper is deposited, and an insoluble anode into an electrolyte that contains copper; and passing an electric current between the cathode and anode via the electrolyte to establish an average current density, to electrodeposit copper on the cathode and to evolve gas at the anode which gas provides increasingly efficient agitation of the electrolyte from deeper to less deep portions of the electrolyte, so that a vertical cathode current density limit differential is established with the current density between the anode and cathode at any particular depth being controlled so that it approaches but does not exceed the cathode current density limit for smooth plating at that depth whereby overall higher average current densities can be employed whereby productivity of the electrolytic cell is increased by a least 10 percent, and thick, smooth electrodeposits are produced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
An insoluble anode that is substantially verticaly immersed in a non-ferrous-metal-containing electrolyte for electrowinning the non-ferrous metal from the electrolyte by electrodeposition on a substantially vertically immersed cathode, comprising an anode having holes in its lower portions which holes decrease the surface area of the lower portions of the anode to effectively decrease cathode current densities at the more deeply immersed portions of the cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
An insoluble anode that is substantially vertically immersed in a non-ferrous-metal-containing electrolyte for electrowinning the non-ferrous metal from the electrolyte by electrodeposition on a substantially vertically immersed cathode, comprising an anode having controlled parts of its lower portion masked with an electrically insulating material to decrease the surface area of the lower portions of the anode to effectively decrease cathode current densities at the more deeply immersed portions of the cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
An insoluble anode that is substantially vertically immersed in a non-ferrous-metal-containing electrolyte for electrowinning the non-ferrous metal from the electrolyte by electrodeposition on a substantially vertically immersed catHode, comprising an anode and a multiperforate, electrically non-conductive diaphragm surrounding the lower portions of the anode to effectively decrease the cathode current densities at the levels of the diaphragm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electrowinning cell which comprises a tank; a non-ferrous-metal-containing electrolyte held within the tank; at least one cathode substantially vertically immersed in the electrolyte; at least one insoluble anode substantially vertically immersed in the electrolyte and spaced from the cathode; and a direct current source for supplying electric current to the anode and cathode to electrodeposit the non-ferrous metal on the cathode, said anode having holes in its lower portions which holes decrease the surface area of the lower portions of the anode to effectively decrease cathode current densities at the more deeply immersed portions of the cathode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
An electrowinning cell which comprises a tank; a non-ferrous-metal-containing electrolyte held within the tank, at least one cathode substantially vertically immersed in the electrolyte; at least one insoluble anode substantially vertically immersed in the electrolyte and spaced from the cathode; and a direct current source for supplying electric current to the anode and cathode to electrodeposit the non-ferrous metal on the cathode, said anode having controlled parts of its lower portion masked with an electrically insulating material to decrease the surface area of the lower portions of the anode to effectively decrease cathode current densities at the more deeply immersed portions of the cathode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electrowinning cell which comprises a tank; a non-ferrous-metal-containing electrolyte held within the tank; at least one cathode substantially vertically immersed in the electrolyte; at least one insoluble anode substantially vertically immersed in the electrolyte and spaced from the cathode and a multiperforate, electrically non-conductive diaphragm surrounding the lower portions of the anode to effectively decrease the cathode current densities at the levels of the diaphragm; and a direct current source for supplying electric current to the anode and cathode to electrodeposit the non-ferrous metal on the cathode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |