Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
1
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADVANCED ELECTROCHEMICAL
MODIFICATION OF LIQUIDS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to an apparatus and a
method for improved electrochemical modification of
concentrations of constituents of liquid streams which
contain organic and/or inorganic impurities. More
precisely, the invention is concerned with an electrolytic
cell technology with potentials to modification of
concentrations of constituents found in liquid streams and
more economically feasible extraction of selected dissolved
constituents for commercial and environmental protection
applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Contamination of liquid streams with various
organic and inorganic pollutants is a serious global
environmental problem affecting environment quality and
represents significant threat to human health and safety.
Substantial heavy metal contamination of aquatic
environments arises from commercial mining and metal
extraction processes, surfaces modification and protection
2
processes, or communal and industrial waste sites resulting
from a variety of active or defunct industrial fabrication
and manufacturing activities. Similarly, significant
organic water pollutants, like aliphatic, aromatic, or
halogenated hydrocarbons and phenols which may also occur
in combination with inorganic and metal contaminants and
are frequently associated with oil exploration, extraction
and refining, chemicals production, or large-scale farming
and food processing.
[003] In addition to potential for significant
environmental damage, polluted liquid streams represent
dilute sources of desirable raw materials like heavy metals
and metal oxides. For example, the Berkeley Mine Pit in
Butte, Montana alone represents an estimated 30 billion
gallons of mining influenced drainage which at one time
contained -180 ppm of copper along with other metals and
thus could yield up to 22,000 tons of pure copper by use of
a small treatment facility.
[004] An economically relevant group of prior art
methods of removal of heavy metal ions from liquid
solutions is based on chemical precipitation. This process
is generally burdened by complexity, high cost, clear
preference for extremely large facilities and high-volume
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
= 3
operations, and efficiency decrease with decrease in
concentration of pollutants. One disadvantage concerns the
resulting byproduct of precipitated sludge which becomes a
concentrated yet mixed contaminant source of the toxins in
the source material. The conventional process relies on
the fortunate co-precipitation of a variety of metal
contaminants upon the addition of precipitating agents and
appropriate pH adjustment. This has traditionally been a
strength of the approach but results in very limited
control of the selectivity of contaminant removal. As a
result, the sludge precipitated is a hazardous mixture of
low-value and toxic materials which makes valuable
component recovery difficult and costly. Consequently, the
sludge mandates further processing and costly long term
disposal as a highly toxic waste. Many similar
disadvantages burden alternative heavy ion removal methods
that may incorporate: filtration, ion exchange, foam
generation and separation, reverse osmosis, or combinations
of listed processes.
[005] Considerable market research conducted by many
strategic copper metal industry consultants indicates that
high grade ore reserves are becoming exhausted. For
example, practitioners may need a way to use their existing
recovery equipment and processes to recover metals from
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
=
4
their plentiful but presently economically unusable low-
grade ore. Currently, they can't economically use the ore
as resultant process streams containing the target metal
extracted from the ore are too weak and need strengthening
(concentrating) to allow practical conventional target
metal extraction. Thus, the economic considerations may be
closely coupled with technology limitations providing for
continuous motivation to improve all aspects of the
extraction process as measured by cost (capital and
operational) reduction metrics.
[006] The extraction technologies enabled by several
aspects of the current invention may be adapted to address
at least some of the above considerations. Additional
features of the current invention, for example, may
contribute to the feasibility of modifying prior art
electrowinning technology so that it can be used to
economically concentrate copper generated in low-grade
process streams instead of simply removing it. In general,
the disclosed embodiments of the advanced electrochemical
modifications technology may prepare a process stream so
the customer can produce new copper from currently
impractical sources with existing in-place processing
infrastructure, equipment, and processes.
CA. 02865326 2014-09-29
[007] In particular, the present invention may provide
some innovative features for unlocking this vast and
vitally needed resource. Typical mines contain significant
amounts of their copper in such unviable ores. This
invention may allow the use of this "waste" ore and thereby
increase average heap leach mine ore utilization and
overall output by 25% and thus globally yield 3 Billion
lbs/yr of newly recoverable copper.
[008] Furthermore, additional features of embodiments
of the current invention may allow for practical metal
recovery from: Leach processing of other metals, Acid Rock
Drainage (ARD), heavy metal and radionuclide contaminated
sites, and metal contaminated industrial effluents such as
electrowinning, plating plant, pickling operations, and
circuit board manufacture (etching) discharges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[009] The present invention considers an apparatus for
electrochemical modification of liquid streams including at
least one electrolytic cell having at least one electrode
compartment structured to contain a liquid electrolyte and
a plurality of electrically conducting particulates forming
an at least one particulate bed, at least one reaction
CA. 02865326 2014-09-29
6
region of structured to support electrochemical reactions,
at least one collection region structured to facilitate
collection of electrically conducting particulates, at
least one feeding region structured to facilitate input of
electrically conducting particulates, at least one
actuation module arranged substantially outside of the at
least one reaction region of relevance for the
electrochemical reactions. The at least one electrolytic
cell also includes at least one external conduit arranged
to transport at least a portion of the electrically
conducting particulates, at least one system for
substantially independent circulations of the liquid
electrolyte through the at least one electrolytic cell, at
least one system for substantially independent circulations
of the at least one liquid stream through the at least one
electrolytic cell, and at least one system for driving
unidirectional electric current supported by the
electrolyte and participating in the electrochemical
reactions in the at least one reaction region of relevance
for the electrochemical reactions.
[0010] The plurality of conducting particulates have
been arranged in progressive motion and said particulates
motion is substantially independent of bulk electrolyte
flow, and the at least one actuating module has been
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
7
arranged to transfer momentum to at least a portion of the
plurality of electrically conducting particulates and at
least a portion of the liquid electrolyte sufficient for
transport of the at least a portion of the plurality of
electrically conducting particulates and the at least a
portion of the liquid electrolyte from the at least one
collection region to the at least one feeding region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other embodiments, features, and
aspects of the present invention are considered in more
detail in relation to the following description of
embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1. is a schematic cross-sectional side view
of devices in accordance with prior art (a) and current
invention (b).
[0013] Fig. 2. is a schematic cross-sectional view of
one embodiment of a device in accordance with the current
invention.
CA. 02865326 2014-09-29
= 8
[0014] Fig. 3. is a schematic cross-sectional view of
another embodiment a device in accordance with the current
invention.
[0015] Fig. 4. is a graphic illustration of operational
parameters achieved by one embodiment of a device in
accordance with the current invention.
[0016] Fig. 5. is a graphic illustration of operational
parameters achieved by another embodiment of a device in
accordance with the current invention.
[0017] Fig. 6. is a graphic illustration of operational
parameters achieved by yet an embodiment of a device in
accordance with the current invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The invention summarized above may be better
understood by referring to the following description, which
should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. This description of an embodiment, set out below
to enable one to build and use an implementation of the
invention, is not intended to limit the invention, but to
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
9
serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the
art should appreciate that they may readily use the
conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis
for modifying or designing other methods and systems for
carrying out the same purposes of the present invention.
Those skilled in the art should also realize that such
equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the invention in its broadest form. Similar to
the inventions in the applications incorporated by
reference above (first paragraph), embodiments of this
instant invention can be of planar, circular, and
concentric tubular or other configurations containing two
or more separate electrolyte chambers as required to
address different application needs.
[0019] One class of embodiments of the instant
invention, illustrated schematically in Fig. 1(b) (in
comparison with schematics in Fig. 1(a) as disclosed for
example in the aforementioned U.S. patent applications Ser.
No. 13/117,769), may be based on a two chamber electrolytic
cell including at least one anode assembly 10 and at least
one cathode assembly 20 separated by at least one separator
30. In this instant embodiment, one of the electrodes of
the pair may be a non-particulate bed electrode while the
other is a dynamic particulate bed where the bed of
10
particulates is returned directly back onto itself. Either
combination: Cathode: non-particulate/Anode: particles bed
or the reverse may be employed in different embodiments.
[0020] The at least one anode assembly 10 of the
illustrated embodiment includes at least one anode
compartment 12 arranged to contain the at least one liquid
electrolyte anolyte and the at least one current anodic
half-reaction distribution contactor device 17.
[0021] The at least one cathode assembly 20 of the
illustrated embodiment may include at least one cathode
compartment 22 arranged to contain of the at least one
liquid electrolyte catholyte 24 (having the direction and
intensity of the flow indicated by arrows), a plurality of
particulates 25b of which at least a portion of are
electrically conducting and forming the cathode
particulates electrode bed 26 for effecting the at least
one cathodic half-reaction, and a cathodic half-reaction
current distribution contactor device 27 in at least
intermittent contact with the cathode particulates
electrode bed 26. The cathode particulates 25b are actuated
to move in a substantially random fashion, relative to each
other, but having an average velocity component as
represented by arrows (i.e. progressive motion). The
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
11
cathode compartment designed and structured in accordance
to the instant embodiment, may enable liquid inflow 14
processing, either in a "flow-through" fashion, in a batch-
by-batch fashion, or in some combination of the above, i.e.
the processed liquid outflow 199 may be controllably
released to allow for desired processing times.
[0022] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, motion
in the active (bed) portion of the at least one
electrolytic cell remains substantially decoupled from the
pertinent electrolyte flow. In particular, at least a
portion of the liquid electrolyte catholyte 24 moves
through the cathode compartment 22 substantially decoupled
from the cathode particulates electrode bed 26 dynamics
(i.e. having different velocities, mass flow rates, transit
times through the cathode compartment 22, etc.) such that
the pertinent dynamics of the cathode particulates 25b and
the liquid electrolyte catholyte 24 may be controlled
essentially separately. It should be noted that it may be
sufficient to decouple and control flows in the regions of
relevance for the electrochemical reactions as driven by
the cell current (substantial portions of volumes of the
anode compartments 12 and cathode compartments 22), while
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
* 12
the flows of the remaining portions of the devices may be
arranged in accordance with the known technological
principles and practice.
[0023] In the Fig. 1(b) illustrated embodiment, at
least a portion of liquid electrolyte catholyte 24 and
cathode particulates 25b may be actuated by at least one
actuation module 11 arranged substantially outside of the
regions of relevance for the electrochemical modifications
activated by the current supported by the anodic half-
reaction current distribution contactor devices 17 and the
cathodic half-reaction current distribution contactor
devices 27. At least a portion of the cathode particulates
25b may be collected in at least one cathodes particulates
collection region 23 (typically bottom of an "upright"
assembly) and circulated via at least one external
(relative to the regions of relevance for the
electrochemical reactions) conduit 13.
[0024] Depending upon particular embodiments, the
cathode particulates 25b may be transported via the at
least one external conduit 13 together with the electrolyte
and other products of the electrochemical modifications in
form of suspended or sedimented material (commonly referred
to by practitioners as powders, precipitates, sludges, or
CP. 02865326 2014-09-29
13
slimes) or, at least partially separated (either in the
collecting region or in the actuation module 11) from the
associated liquids and suspensions and subjected to
additional processing separately from the fluids flow. In
turn, the associated liquids and/or suspensions (including
powders, precipitates, sludges and slimes) may be
transported separately e.g. via at least one additional
external conduit 13a, separately processed, and
reintroduced, if desirable, into the cell for example in
the at least one introduction region 29 (typically top of
the "upright" assembly).
[0025] The at least
one actuation module 11 may include
at least one actuation unit 11c employing an actuator such
as, but not limited to, at least one pumping element
consisting of at least one instance of devices from the
conventional design classes chosen from a set of pumps
consisting of diaphragm, peristaltic, screw, siphon, gear,
progressive cavity, piston (rotary and reciprocating),
rotodynamic, hydraulic ram, educator-jet, centrifugal
(axial and radial), and combinations of the listed pump
classes to mobilize the at least one particulates
electrodes/electrolytes mixture.
14
[0026] One particular pilot embodiment may utilize a
peristaltic pump example capable of actuating
electrolyte/particulate suspensions. Such pumps are
represented by Weir Peristaltic Pump Model RP2-50H (5 - 25
GPM at 50 C OR 5 - 13 GPM at 80 C; commercially available
from Weir Minerals, 2360 Millrace Court, Mississauga,
Ontario, Canada; 05/10/2013), which is arranged for
reliable actuating of a variety of processed or untreated
liquids and suspensions in a controllable fashion.
[0027] One may note that, depending upon particular
embodiments, the cathode particulates 25b may either go
directly through the pump of the at least one actuation
module 11, or one may separate the cathode particulates 25b
by at least one separation unit llb for separating the
constituent components of the at least one particulates
electrodes/electrolyte mixture, process it in an at least
one integrated or separate processing unit, including
controlling mobility of the cathode particulates 25b (e.g.
fluidizing), transport them by pumping the fluids
separately, and injecting the cathode particulates 25b into
the fluids downstream of the pump feeding the at least one
external conduit 13. In the former embodiments, the pump
may directly impart some motion to the cathode particulates
25b and the moving fluid may sustains/extends the
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
15
particulates motion. In the latter, the cathode
particulates 25b may be at least in part externally driven
by fluid motion by exchanging momentum and energy by the
elements of the supporting fluids.
[0028] Again, a variety of materials can be used for
structuring of the cathode particulates 25b, either having
substantially common structure, or being constituted as
mixtures of particulates having one or more distinct
characteristics. One relevant physical characteristic may
be sufficient conductivity of cathodes particulates 25b to
effectively achieve electroplating of at least one target
material. Additional features impacting practical utility
may be the particle density and size. Less dense or
smaller cathode particulates 25b may fluidize more easily
and require less energy per particle to retain mobility of
the cathode particulates electrode bed 26. Cathode
particulates 25b incorporating solid copper at least in
part, may be utilized in some embodiments but may be
suboptimal at least regarding efficient pump/transport at
desirable fluid rates and slurry loadings. Titanium
particulates may be more beneficial and aluminum even more
so. Forms of carbon, coal, and graphite can be conductive
and low density and may be desirable considering that the
industry has developed a range of pumps for transporting
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
16
carbon/graphite slurries around power plants etc.
Carbobeads of particular size, a particular form of carbon
which has recently become available in large quantities
(e.g. from ASBURY CARBONS, Ward Seals Headquarters at 405
Old Main Street; P.O. Box 1144, Asbury NJ) due to its use
in the oil industry for drilling and/or fracting, may be
utilized in some embodiments. Carbobeads are low density,
roundish, physically robust, affordable, and can be very
uniform in size. More exotic pellet/bead forms (such as
metallized plastic, metallized ceramic, metal-plastic and
metal-ceramic composites or mixtures utilizing one or more
of these) could also be used in different embodiments.
[0029] As indicated above, the at least one actuation
module 11 of different embodiments may incorporate
separation unit 11h devices structured for effecting at
least partial separations of cathode particulates 25b and
additional processing of separated cathode particulates
25b. In particular embodiments, separation of cathode
particulates 25b may be facilitated by usage of various
separation mechanisms including but not limited to gravity,
magnetic properties, characteristic dimensions,
electrostatic properties, electrodynamic properties,
momentum transfer, tribiological properties, solubility
properties, chemical properties, thermal properties,
CA. 02865326 2014-09-29
17
absorption properties, etc. employed in units like but not
limited to stationary (gravity assisted) or motion assisted
screens, separators, and or classifiers. Various
separation and classification equipment is commercially
available, for example, from aforementioned Weir Minerals.
In addition, magnetic particulates may be processed using
various magnetic and/or cross-flow separators, represented
by those available from Eriez Manufacturing Co. of 2200
Asbury Road, Erie, PA 16506-0440 U.S.A.
[0030] As mentioned above, in the embodiments
represented by the schematics in Fig. 1(b), the cathode
particulates 25b may be at least partially re-circulated
via the at least one external conduit 13 in association
with appropriate fluids including the liquid electrolyte
catholyte 24, products of the liquid electrolyte catholyte
24 processing, and/or additional fluids introduced into the
at least one actuation module 11 to facilitate processing
and/or transport in the at least one external conduit 13.
In some embodiments the at least one additional external
conduits 13a, having generally different sizes and
transporting capacities, may be arranged for transport of
fluids and suspensions separated from the aforementioned
transport of cathode particulates 25b.
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
18
[0031] Regarding an additional family of embodiments
represented by the schematic in Fig. 2, (based upon above-
incorporated Application Ser. No. 13/621,349) at least one
electrolytic cell 100 having at least three compartments
defined by the use of at least two not necessarily
equivalent separation structures 110 and 120 constructed
from at least two ion conductive separators such as ion
conductive membranes, as recited in above-incorporated
Patent Application Ser. No. 13/621,349 and with at least
two substantially distinct electrolyte flows circulated
through the electrolytic cell 100. The at least three
compartments electrolytic cell 100 of this Patent
Application additionally incorporates the at least one
actuation module 11 containing at least one actuation unit
11c and one or more separation units, the at least one
external conduit 13, and/or at least one additional
external conduit 13a, similar to these disclosed above
regarding the Fig. 1.
[0032] It may be noted that the input 106, depending on
circumstances of different embodiments, may be introduced
directly into the at least one cathode compartment 101 (as
illustrated, for example, in Fig. 1 of the Patent
Application Ser. No. 13/621,349), or may be introduced into
the external transport system, e.g. into the at least one
CA. 02865326 2014-09-29
19
actuation module 11. One may note that the embodiment of
Fig. 2 of current Application may offer additional degrees
of freedom for controlling the liquid flows through the
system and/or additional flexibility for optimization of
the overall efficiencies.
[0033] Regarding a different class of embodiments
represented by the schematics in Fig. 3, at least two
substantially distinct liquid streams (cathodic inflow 24
and anodic inflow 14) may be arranged for processing in the
at least one electrolytic cell 100. The Fig. 3 illustrated
cell incorporate at least two distinct external circulation
systems consisting of, at least one catholyte circulation
path (incorporating at least one actuation module 11, the
at least one external conduit 13, and/or at least one
additional external conduits 13a), and at least one anolyte
circulation path (incorporating at least one additional
actuation module 11a, the at least one external conduit 13,
and/or at least one additional external conduits 13a). The
illustrated embodiment may allow for additional degrees of
freedom available for optimization of anodic and cathodic
processes and/or more efficient operation of the
electrolytic cell 100.
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
[0034] The Fig. 3 illustrated cell incorporate at least two
distinct external circulation systems consisting of, at least one
catholyte circulation path (incorporating at least one actuation
module 11, the at least one external conduit 13, and/or at least
one additional external conduits 13a), and at least one anolyte
circulation path (incorporating at least one additional actuation
module 11a, the at least one external conduit 13, and/or at
least one additional external conduits 13a). The illustrated
embodiment may allow for additional degrees of freedom available
for optimization of anodic and cathodic processes and/or more
efficient operation of the electrolytic cell 100.
[0035] In addition, for the electrolyte/electrode
mixture flows of both compartments (anode 12 and cathode
22), the conduits 13 and 13a may be arranged to recirculate
the unripe electrode particulates 25b and ripe electrode
particulates 25a through pertinent compartments, including
at least one cathode compartment 22 and the at least one
anode compartment 12. The determination of ripe vs. unripe
particulates may be embodiment-dependant. For example, in
embodiments directed toward concentration of selected
targeted materials from liquid streams, amounts of targeted
materials incorporated/bound to into/onto the respective
particulates may indicate relative ripeness. In the Fig. 3
representative embodiments directed toward extraction of
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
21
targeted metals via initial deposition (loading) of metal
species to the particulates, transfer of desired metal-
enriched particulates to the anode compartments, and
subsequent stripping of targeted metal species in the anode
compartment 12, the ripe particulates (with respect to the
cathode compartment 22 processes) may represent
sufficiently loaded particulates 25a selected for transfer
to the anode compartment 12, while with respect to the
anode compartment 12 processes, the unripe particulates
(with respect to the cathode compartment 22 processes) may
represent sufficiently stripped particulates 25b selected
for transfer to the cathode compartment 22.
[0036] In different embodiments, for example in a manner
disclosed in Patent Application No. 13/117,769, the
conduits 13 and 13a may be arranged to at least partially
transport particulates 25a and/or 25b between compartments
22 and 12 and vice versa.
[0037] Furthermore, the illustrated embodiments may
incorporate additional and separate processing units (at
least one cathodic processing unit 399, and/or at least one
anodic processing unit 399a) which may allow for separate
processing of particulates received from the cathode
22
compartment 22 and particulates received from the anode
compartment 12.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment structured, for
example, for removal of targeted metals from the liquid
electrolyte catholyte 24 stream while concentrating the
targeted metals in the outflow 199 in a flow-through
process that may be single pass or use a degree of
recirculation, the separate cathodic and anodic processing
units 399 and 399a may be arranged to separate particulates
with respect to at least one extensive property indicative
of a characteristic of interest such as the of amounts of
targeted materials incorporated/bound to into/onto the
respective particulates. In different embodiments the
processing units may separate particulates by various
separatory mechanisms on the basis of properties including
but not limited to gravity, magnetic properties,
characteristic dimensions, electrostatic properties,
electrodynamic properties, momentum transfer properties,
tribiological properties, solubility properties, chemical
properties, thermal properties, absorption properties, etc.
pertinent to, but not limited by, properties like
particulate mass, characteristic dimensions, density,
buoyancy, mobility or other physio-chemical features.
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
23
[0039] In one class of the Fig. 3-illustrated
embodiments, the cathodic and anodic processing units 399
and 399a may separate particulates discriminating by
particulates size. Thus, the cathodic processing unit 399
may separate and deliver relatively larger (ripe)
particulates 25a to the anode compartment 12 for stripping
(harvesting") while delivering the relatively smaller
(unripe or not sufficiently ripe) particulates 25b back to
the cathode compartment 22 for further loading
("ripening"). Similarly, the anodic processing unit 399a
may separate and deliver relatively larger and not
sufficiently stripped (not sufficiently unripe)
particulates 25a back to the anode compartment 12 for
additional stripping (harvesting) while transferring the
relatively smaller and more fully stripped(harvested)
particulates 25b to the cathode compartment 22 for
subsequent loading (ripening).
[0040] One may note that, in spite of the apparent
symmetry of the above recitation, the processing units 399
and 399a may be significantly different and use different
processing mechanisms, circulation pathways, pass through
rates, etc. as desired for a specific application being
generally based on different particulates and processing
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
24
properties, separation limits, capacities, and/or
efficiencies for example.
[0041] Several experimental and pilot devices in
accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention have been developed, designed, and utilized for
performance investigations. Significant parameters
characterizing some of the experimental and pilot devices
have been summarized in Table 1. below. The summarized
performance characteristics have been tested and operated
mostly for evaluation of functionalities using different
particulates on Copper solutions, although many different
materials may be used, as discussed above, even in the
embodiments based on the Table 1. pertinent devices.
Table 1.
Values
Copper Panic uiates Carbon Particulates Carbon Particulates
Carbon
Electrode Electrode Electrode Particulates
Parameter (Figure 4) (Figure S) (Fture 6) ___ Electrode
-Electrolytic System Electrolytic
TargetChemistry 1 System 2 __
Cel Power 1 Amp 1 Amp ,2 Amp 600 Amps
1.9 - 2.3 VcX 2.4 - 2.8 Vac 4.2 - 5.6 Yck 0.2- 6.5 Vct
Catholyte Electrolyte 1.5 Amps 1.9 Amps 1.9 Amps 7_5 Hp
Circulation Pump 24.1V 24 V 24V 150 C-Phel
Cathotyte Slurry Nia Wo 2 Amps 7.5 Hp
Circulation Pump Nla 4_5 Vct 25 GPM
Electrolyte Yob me 1.01 02751 02)1 309 L
Initial Copper
Concentration 583 pprn 941 porn 958 ppm 1000 pprn
Final Copper
Concentration 53 pprn 14 ppm 4 porn 10-50 ppm
Treatment Time ,48 mn 15 mi1 20 min 35 - 45 Mr)
Electrolyte pH irntai: 20 Foal: 2.0 taus: 1.9 Forel: 18 intiat 1.9
F,nat: 2,3 tritiar 2 Finat 2.2
Electrolyte
Temperature 22 X 22'C _22`C <50C
CA 2865326 2018-02-16
CA. 02865326 2014-09-29
[0042] Some test results have been illustrated in Figs.
4-6. The graph in Fig. 4 demonstrates capabilities of a
copper particulates-based cell to efficiently operate at 1
Amp current level while extracting Copper from solutions at
and below 50 ppm of Copper. It may be noted that the
particular cell removed Copper at an average Faradic
Efficiency of 65% from -0.6g/L to 0.05 g/L and did not
exhibit significant saturation indicating capabilities of
extended operation at concentrations of less than 10 ppm of
metal Copper.
[0043] Similarly, regarding performance of the carbon-
particle cell as illustrated in Fig. 5 results across a
similar concentration regime are comparable or even
superior to those seen in Fig. 4, one may note that 15 min.
of cell operation at 1 Amp (substantially at 2-8V or less)
Copper concentration in the resulting filtrate may be
reduced to the approximate level of tens of ppm after only
15 min. of cell operation at an average Faradiac Efficiency
of 93% from 0.7 g/L to 0.07 g/L (without indication of
significant limitations to achieve even lower concentration
by extended and/or optimized process in various
embodiments).
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
26
[0044] Regarding results in Fig. 6, one may note
successful application of a carbon-particulate based flow-
through cell operation at 2 Amps at an average Faradic
Efficiency of 38% also yields results consistent with the
prior results shown in Fig 4 and Fig 5.. It may be also
noted that this cell managed to reduce the absolute Copper
amount stored in the initial fill to less than 1% of the
initial value (approximately 250 mg) in less than 15 min.
of operation.
[0045] Additionally, one may note that various pilot
units scaled to the approximate scale of commercial pumps
and particulates processing devices as indicated above,
indicate no significant problems pertinent to industrial
scale operations capable to extract 99% of targeted metals
and significantly reducing pollution risks potentially
associated with the feeding fluids and runoffs as found in
particular localities.
[0046] The present invention has been described with
references to the exemplary embodiments arranged for
different applications. While specific values,
relationships, materials and components have been set forth
for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it
will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
CA 02865326 2014-09-29
27
*
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without
departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts
and operating principles of the invention as broadly
described. It should be recognized that, in the light of
the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify
those specifics without departing from the invention taught
herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred
embodiments and certain modifications of the concept
underlying the present invention, various other embodiments
as well as certain variations and modifications of the
embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur
to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with
such underlying concept. It is intended to include all such
modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar
as they come within the scope of the appended claims or
equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore,
that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present
embodiments are to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive.
