SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF METALS FROM SOLUTION

摘要

A process to extract metal ions and potentially other hazardous species present in solution to levels low enough to make it suitable for use and/or to quantify the levels of these contaminants in the solution. The process involves the use of functionalized magnetic particles to bind with metal ions. The process occurs in a three-chambered cell and utilizes a magnet to agglomerate the magnetic particles bound with metal ions to an electrode, and by altering the pH of the solution within the cell using gases produced by a solid state electrolyzer or from the air, encourages the plating of the metal ions on the electrode and the pushing out of the metal-free solution out of the cell.

主权项

1. A process for extracting a metal species from a solution, said process comprising:
(a) providing a solution to an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode, the solution comprising a metal ion to be removed from the solution; (b) introducing a plurality of functionalized magnetic particles into the solution, the functionalized magnetic particles comprising a functional group suitable for binding the metal ion; (c) adjusting the pH of the solution by oxidizing hydrogen or reducing oxygen produced by a solid state polymeric electrolyzer or from the air to promote binding of the metal ion to the functionalized magnetic particles; (d) magnetically drawing the particles to the cathode; and (e) applying an electrical current to the cell and plating the metal ions onto the cathode.