Patent ID: 6149797
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: C02F,C25C

Abstract:
A method for recovering a metal from an aqueous solution containing ions of said metal, said method comprising the steps of:A) contacting an electrochemical cell with said aqueous solution, said electrochemical cell comprising:(a) a cathode assembly comprising:a nonporous support member having uniformly distributed fluid openings or fluid collection channels to provide a uniform fluid pressure drop in said cathode assembly, a conductive primary cathode in intimate contact with said support member, andat least one conductive or semi-conductive porous secondary cathode covering said primary cathode, and(b) an anode spaced from said cathode assembly,said contacting being carried out by causing said aqueous solution to flow through said porous material to said primary cathode, and uniformly through said fluid openings or along said channels of said support member at a rate of from about 10 to about 1000 liters/min/m.sup.2 of primary cathode surface, andB) applying a negative potential to said cathode assembly.