ELECTROLYTIC METAL RECOVERY WITH SULPHATE ION DIFFUSION THROUGH ION-PERMEABLE MEMBRANE

摘要

Electrolytic Metal Recovery with Sulphate Ion Diffusion Through Ion-permeable Membrane There is disclosed a process for recovering metal from a sulphurous feed material containing the metal. The sulphurous feed material is leached to form an aqueous metal-bearing solution which contains sulphate ions and ions of the metal. The solids are removed from this solution. The metal is recovered in an electrolytic cell having anode and cathode compartments separated by an ion-permeable, fluid-impermeable membrane. The solution is flowed through the cathode compartment while an aqueous acidic anolyte is flowed through the anode compartment. A potential difference is maintained between the anodes and cathodes and the metal is deposited on the cathode with sulphate ions passing through the membrane from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment.