Process for electrowinning metals from a metal-bearing solids slurry

Abstract

An electrolytic cell comprising a rectangular tank divided into a plurality of adjacent compartments by a plurality of spaced apart parallel electrode plates. The outboard electrodes may form one pair of the opposite tank walls. Alternate electrodes are of opposite polarity and are connected to matching poles of a direct current source. The intermediate electrodes terminate short of the tank ends so that the slurry or solution may pass around both ends of the electrode as it flows through successive cells. An agitator is mounted in each compartment for reciprocation therein. The agitators are shaped and positioned to direct a predetermined volume of tank contents (slurry) against each electrode, the amount being directed against the cathode and anode respectively may be equal or unequal depending on the metal being recovered and the chemical reaction required at the electrode. Strips of non-conductive material are arranged in the cell in spaced overlapping relationship with the peripheral side and bottom edges of each side of each cathode thereby blocking straight line current flow between the cathode edges and the closest anode area while defining a narrowed passage for directing slurry past such edges in a scrubbing action. The agitators and the associated mounting means are designed so the volume of flow against each electrode may be varied to accommodate the different operating conditions required by different ores.