Bechtel Group, Inc.

Other

Electrocopper Products Limited

Kaiser Industries Corporation

James A Murray

Terrance J Cox

Valmer H Ness

Chris L Pfalzgraff

Christopher C Rayner

William P Imrie

Robert K Bates

Michael R Nees

Stephen J Kohut

Manuel G Santoyo

Graeme Alexander

Ron Tix

Dale F Halter

Jonathan M Berkoe

Hoke M Garrett

An electrowinning cell comprised of a tank; an electrolytic solution within the tank defining a solution surface at a predetermined level within the tank; a plurality of flat metallic electrode plates, each of the plates having a support beam along an edge thereof; a support assembly disposed outside the tank for supporting a plurality of the electrodes by the support beams, the support assembly dimensioned to position the electrodes in side-by-side, spaced apart, parallel relationship with a lower portion of the electrodes immersed in the electrolytic solution and an upper portion disposed above the solution surface, the upper portions of the electrodes and the solution surface forming parallel channels extending from one side of the tank to a second side of the tank; a plurality of apertures formed in the tank wall along the one side of the tank, the apertures being disposed above the solution surface and positioned wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures is located between an adjacent pair of the electrodes; a blower and manifold assembly connected to the plurality of apertures for creating gas flow through the plurality of apertures, the blower and manifold assembly dimensioned to create a stream of gas through the channels across the solution surface; an elongated slot formed in the tank wall along the second side of the tank, the slot disposed above the solution surface; and an exhaust blower and manifold assembly for creating a suction through the slot to create a drop in gas pressure opposite the apertures.

Ventilation system for electrolytic cell

An electrolytic processing tank contains alternating cathodes and anodes. Each anode carries a sealing unit on either side thereof. The sealing units include flexible U-shaped sealing members which are in surface contact with neighboring cathodes. A sealing member which is T-shaped as seen in an end view is positioned adjacent the end of each anode. Each T-shaped member has a leg whose thickness is the same as that of the anodes, and a crosspiece which extends partway along the leg. The leg is aligned with a neighboring anode, and the end of the leg remote from the crosspiece abuts the anode. The crosspiece projects beyond the opposite end of the leg to form a flexible flap which establishes a seal with a wall of the processing tank. The crosspieces of neighboring T-shaped members overlap one another.

Preventing escape of vapor or gas from electrolytic systems

In a tank confined electrolysis process, such as electrowinning or electrorefining, having circulated electroplating solution containing sulfuric acid, a multi-element cover system is applied below the electrode conductor connections and above the surface of the electrolyte bath. This cover is evacuated in the interstices below the cover and above the bath at a rate exceeding the stoichiometric ratio causing any leakage to occur into the volume overlying the bath thereby preventing acid aerosol from escape. The rate of evacuation is restricted so that humidity is maintain under the cover and over the surface of the bath to prevent the formation of crystals formed from aerosol droplets which become supersaturated. In a preferred embodiment, a circular weir in combination with gas discharge over the weir to a downcomer is disclosed. Entrainment of air over the weir and into the downcomer is disclosed to provide sufficient pumping for evacuation.

Electrode cap with integral tank cover for acid mist collection

The manufacture of cement clinker in a rotary vessel wherein cement raw materials are heated to complete calcination and effect clinkering by the combustion of fuels in the gaseous atmosphere within the vessel is improved by incorporating into the cement raw materials a residual fuel having a low volatiles content and a high ignition temperature.

Manufacture of cement in rotary vessels

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Walnut Creek, CA, United States of America

James A Murray