APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF METALS FROM A BODY OF FLUID BY ELECTRODEPOSITION

摘要

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.

主权项

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.