Patent ID: 6355155
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B01D,C02F,C22B,C25C,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for recovering metals from a metal-containing flow, wherein:a. the metal-containing flow and a solvent are supplied to a dissolving unit, whereby a metal-containing solution containing metal salts and/or metal hydroxides is formed; b. the metal-containing solution is then supplied to a concentration unit; c. the metal-containing solution is separated in the concentration unit into a small-volume flow containing a high concentration of metal salts and/or metal hydroxides, and a large-volume flow containing a low concentration of metal salts and/or metal hydroxides; d. the small-volume flow containing a high concentration of metal salts and/or metal hydroxides is supplied to an electrochemical unit, whereas the large-volume flow containing a low concentration of metal salts and/or metal hydroxides is communicated back to the dissolving unit; and e. the small-volume flow containing a high concentration of metal salts and/or metal hydroxides is separated in said electrochemical unit into a flow containing one or more metals, and a flow containing a low concentration of metal salts and/or metal hydroxides, said latter flow being communicated back to the electrochemical unit.