Patent ID: 6162333
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
An electrochemical cell for the electrolytic removal of at least one metal from solution, the cell including an outer casing, a cathode assembly centrally disposed within the outer casing, an anode within the outer casing spaced from the cathode, an inlet and an outlet for the solution, wherein the cathode assembly comprises a porous elongate support member having a circumferential periphery of characteristic circumferential dimension, a porous cathode member formed of a porous carbon fiber material disposed about the elongate support member, and a cathode current feeder supported on the elongate support member and extending substantially along the entire length of the porous cathode member, the cathode assembly, inlet and outlet being disposed such that in use the solution enters the cell through the inlet, flows through the porous cathode member and exits the cell through the outlet, said cell being characterized in thatsaid cathode current feeder comprises a plurality of feeder strips, each extending substantially the length of said porous cathode member, said plurality of feeder strips being disposed substantially evenly about said circumferential periphery of said elongate support member, wherein each said feeder strip has a characteristic width and the aggregate total of said characteristic widths comprises at least 20 percent of said characteristic circumferential dimension.