Electrogeneration of bromine and use thereof in recovery of precious metals and water treatment.

摘要

A process for generating bromine in an aqueous solution containing bromide ion. An aqueous solution containing bromide ions is caused to flow through an electrogeneration system that comprises paired anode means and cathode means. The system has an inlet and an outlet for the flow of the solution, the solution at the inlet having a pH of between about 0 and about 6 and a bromide ion concentration of between about 0.5 and about 8.8 moles/l. A direct electric potential is applied via the anode and cathode means to cause an electric current to pass through the flowing solution in the electrogeneration system and to generate bromine at the anode means by electrolytic oxidation of bromide ions. The relationship between the electric current and the throughput of the solution through the system is such that between about 4% and about 50% of the bromide in the inlet solution is converted to bromine at the anode means. The pH of the discharged solution is between about 0 and about 6. The aqueous bromine solution discharged from the electrogeneration system may be used in the recovery of precious metals, such as silver and gold, from sources thereof, and in the commercial and industrial treatment of water. <IMAGE>