Patent ID: 6120658
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
An electrode cover for preventing the generation of a mist above a surface of an aqueous electrolyte during electrowinning metal recovery, said mist being caused by production of a gas at an electrode, a lower portion of which is immersed below said surface of said electrolyte during said electrowinning and an upper portion of which extends above said surface of said electrolyte during said electrowinning, said cover comprising:an envelope member having an open upper end and a lower end, said envelope member comprising a membrane of tightly woven hydrophilic fibers, said membrane being substantially impermeable to solid electrode decomposition products and permeable to the electrolyte, water vapour, air and to said gas generated at the electrode;sealing means provided on said envelope member at said open upper end, said sealing means adapted to form a seal between said open upper end of said envelope member and said upper portion of said electrode to thereby form a substantially closed chamber about said upper portion of said electrode, said chamber being defined by said surface of said electrolyte and said cover.