Patent ID: 7368043
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: C25D

Abstract:
1. An electrolytic cell comprising: a first container containing an acidic catholyte, wherein the catholyte comprises a metal, optionally in complex with a complexing agent, and wherein a cathode is at least partially disposed within the catholyte, and wherein the first container has a first opening that is configured to receive the catholyte and a second opening that is configured to discharge the catholyte after the catholyte has contacted the second container; wherein the first container is at least partially disposed in a tank that is configured to receive the catholyte from the second opening and that is configured to provide the catholyte to the first opening; a pump fluidly coupled to the first container and configured to move the catholyte across the cathode at a predetermined flow velocity; a second container containing an anolyte, wherein the second container is at least partially disposed in the catholyte, wherein the second container comprises a separator that separates the catholyte from the anolyte, and wherein the second container further comprises an anode; and wherein the cathode and the second container are positioned relative to each other such that a flow path between the second container and cathode is formed from which the metal is deposited onto the cathode at non-current limiting conditions at the flow velocity.