Concentrating metals - by preferential soln for different valencies of the metal

摘要

The process of the Principal Patent has the additional feature that in step (4), the electrolyte is the aq. soln. referred to in step (c) and the current is passed through the dispersion referred to in step (c) while maintaining the electrolyte in the continuousl phase. The principal patent describes a process of concentrating a metal of variable valency in aq. soln., by (a) contacting an aq. soln. of the metal with a non-miscible organic liquid which is a preferential solvent for the metal in the existing valency, the metal being transferred to the organic liquid, (b) separating the resultant solns. (c) forming a dispersion by agitating the organic soln. of step (b) with a non-miscible aq. soln. which is a preferential solvent for the metal in a higher or lower valency state, (d) passing an electric current across the dispersion in a cathode or anode zone to change the valency of the metal which is then transferred to the aq. soln. (d) separating the liquids, (f) recycling the aq. soln. to step (c) so that the aq. soln. becomes enriched in the metal.