Patent Description:
In the purification or refining of metals, it is of common practice to use electrolysis, especially in electrolytic cells designed for this purpose. The metals to be refined are usually conventional metals such as copper, zinc, nickel or cadmium, or precious metals such as silver, platinum or gold, and others.

Various configurations of contact elements and insulators can be used in electrolytic cells for contacting and supporting anodes and cathodes. The contact bars and insulators can have different forms, constructions, compositions and assembly methods.

Existing configurations combining contact elements and insulators are described in <CIT> and <CIT> for example.

Document <CIT> discloses an electrolytic cell busbar construction for the purpose of the electrolytic recovery of metals. The construction is formed so that the gap between the electrodes can be changed easily.

Document <CIT> discloses a busbar construction between a first and a second electrolysis tanks intended for the electrolytic recovery of metals. The busbar construction is placed on top of a side wall between the first and second electrolysis tanks, which contain electrodes having a first bracket member and a second bracket member. The electrodes are supported to the busbar construction by means of the first and second bracket members, and the busbar construction includes a main busbar, a first support member and a second support member.

There are a variety of challenges and inefficiencies related to existing contact elements and insulators used in hydrometallurgical refining. Therefore, there is still a need for enhancing electric current distribution within components of the electrolytic cells and managing maintenance of these components.

Techniques described herein respond to the above need by providing components, assemblies and methods making use of conductive elements configured to facilitate enhancing distribution of electrical current in in an electrolytic cell.

In one aspect, there is provided an assembly for implementation in an electrolytic cell according to claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, whose content is to be understood as forming an integral part of the present description.

While the present invention will be described in conjunction with example embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included as defined in the present description. For instance, embodiments in relation to insulation and electrical contact of symmetrical electrodes may be modified and adapted to asymmetrical electrodes. The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent and be better understood upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of the invention, given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that various aspects described in the present application can be used in conjunction with various aspects and implementations described in documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and patent <CIT> in relation to symmetrical electrodes, and in <CIT> in relation to asymmetrical electrodes.

Implementations of the components, assemblies and methods are represented in and will be further understood in connection with the following figures.

In accordance with aspects of the invention, there is provided an assembly making use of conductive elements for implementation in an electrolytic cell to provide an enhanced distribution of the electrical current in specific locations of the electrolytic cell.

It will be readily understood that the distribution of the electrical current (also referred to as the electrical distribution) in the electrolytic cell may be defined as a course of moving electrons in the electrolytic cell. The electrical distribution is related to the conductive state of the various components of the electrolytic cell, therefore depending on the configuration of the electrolytic cell and the nature of materials of these various components of the electrolytic cell. One skilled in the art will readily understand that electrical distribution is enhanced within the electrolytic cell where conduction of the electrical current is created or improved.

<FIG> illustrate embodiments of the invention in relation to symmetrical electrodes.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an implementation of four adjacent electrolytic cells <NUM> that may be used for refining metals. One electrolytic cell <NUM> may be defined as including a vessel <NUM> containing an electrolytic bath, an alternation of anodes <NUM> and cathodes <NUM> plunging in the electrolytic bath for refining metals, and two electrical distribution assemblies <NUM> located on both sides of the vessel <NUM> for providing support, insulation and/or electrical contact to the anodes <NUM> and cathodes <NUM> resting thereon.

One skilled in the art will readily know that anodes and cathodes may refer to metal plates of a given thickness, which are provided at their upper end with two laterally extending projections, called hanging bars for cathodes and anode logs for anodes. Such hanging bars or anode logs facilitate positioning and hanging of the plates on lateral sidewalls of adjacent electrolytic cells. These hanging bars or anode logs also serve to electrically contact or insulate the electrodes depending on their position with respect to the electrical distribution assembly as seen in <FIG> and <FIG> for example. Therefore, when referring to the cooperation between electrodes and the assemblies and/or elements defined herein, one skilled in the art will readily understand that said assemblies and/or elements may be cooperating with hanging bars or anode logs of the electrodes.

Aspects of the present invention relate to an electrical distribution assembly for implementation in the electrolytic cell. <FIG> provide perspective views of implementations of the electrical distribution assembly <NUM> which cooperate with a primary contact element <NUM>, such as a dogbone contact bar segment <NUM>, as seen on <FIG> for example.

Referring to <FIG>, the distribution assembly <NUM> includes an insulator <NUM> made of an insulating material. Optionally, the insulator <NUM> may be molded of a resin material. The distribution assembly <NUM> also includes a secondary contact element <NUM> and a tertiary contact element <NUM> made of electrically conductive material so as to be in electrical contact with electrodes resting thereon. The insulator <NUM> is configured to insulate the electrodes and/or the primary, secondary and tertiary contact elements from one another.

It should be understood that the term "contact" when used in combination with the term "element" refers to any element which material is electrically conductive and which enables circulation and distribution of the electrical current between the electrode (or hanging bars of the electrodes) and said contact element. For example, one skilled in the art will readily understand that a contact element may include a contact bar or busbar as known in the metal refining industry. Optionally, the secondary contact element and the tertiary contact element may be made of copper. The secondary and tertiary contact element are insulated from each other and insulated from the primary contact.

It should be understood that the term "configured" when used in combination with any element of the assembly or electrolytic cell described herein refers to the shape, sizing, positioning and material provided to give a desired effect to the element.

Implementations of the electrical distribution assembly provide positioning, insulation and/or electrical contact to the electrodes resting thereon.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> is configured to insulate specific electrodes from the primary contact element <NUM> while allowing electrical contact between other electrodes and the primary contact element <NUM>. The electrodes include anodes <NUM> and cathodes <NUM> which are distributed in alternation along the insulator <NUM> in two opposed rows, such that the electrolytic cell includes first and second rows of anodes 6a, 6b, and first and second rows of cathodes 8a, 8b. The insulator <NUM> is configured with respect to the primary contact element <NUM> so as to allow electrical contact between each anode of the first row 6a and the primary contact element <NUM> while insulating each anode of the second row 6b from said primary contact element <NUM>. The insulator <NUM> isfurther configured with respect to the primary contact element <NUM> so as to allow electrical contact between each cathode of the second row 8b and the primary contact element while insulating each cathode of the first row 8a from said primary contact element <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, an anode of the first row 6a may be in electrical contact with the secondary contact element <NUM> when the opposed anode of the second row 6b may be in electrical contact with the primary contact element <NUM>, and vice versa. A cathode of the first row 8a may be in electrical contact with the primary contact element <NUM> when the opposed cathode of the second row 8b may be in electrical contact with the tertiary contact element <NUM>, and vice versa. As seen in <FIG>, anodes of the first row 6a may be in electrical contact with the secondary contact element <NUM> while the cathodes of the first row 8a may be in electrical contact with the primary contact element <NUM> and the cathodes of the second row 8b may be in electrical contact with the tertiary contact element <NUM>. The distribution assembly is therefore configured such that both ends of hanging bars of each electrode of the electrolytic cell are in electrical contact with a conductive element.

One skilled in the art will readily understand that the electrical distribution assembly facilitated enhanced electrical current distribution within the electrolytic cell as the electrical current can travel from one electrode to another electrode, through a conductive medium offered by the secondary and tertiary contact elements. The electrical distribution assembly is configured such that the electrical current can cross the electrode with a reduced electrical resistance, by entering the electrode from one contact element and exiting the electrode from another contact element as schematized on <FIG>.

In some implementations, the insulator may be molded so as to provide adequate positioning to the secondary contact element and tertiary contact element. According to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, and first and second rows of seats <NUM>, <NUM> distributed along the body and extending upwardly from said body <NUM>. As seen on <FIG>, each seat of the first row <NUM> is configured to cooperate with the secondary contact element <NUM> for providing electrical contact to an anode resting thereon. Each seat of the second row <NUM> is configured to maintain the tertiary contact element <NUM> in place on the insulator <NUM>. The tertiary contact element <NUM> is further configured to offer support and electrical contact to a cathode resting thereon. The first and second rows of seats <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced apart from one another so as to define a channel <NUM> there between. The channel <NUM> has an elongated central portion and lateral portions <NUM> extending between seats of a same row. The seats of the first row <NUM> is in a staggered relation with the seats of the second row <NUM>. Further optionally, the insulator <NUM> may include an abutment wall <NUM> extending upwardly from the elongated central portion of the channel <NUM> and a plurality of abutment projections <NUM> extending upwardly from the lateral channels <NUM> between seats <NUM> of the second row.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the abutment wall <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> provides abutment to each cathode 8a of the first row so as to prevent hanging bars of the opposed cathodes of first and second rows from being in contact. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each abutment projection <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> provides abutment to each anode 6b of the second row so as to prevent hanging bars of the opposed anodes of first and second rows from being in contact.

<FIG> show cross-sectional views of the electrical distribution assembly <NUM> without portions of the electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> and electrolytic cell vessel <NUM> as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>.

According to the embodiment of the distribution assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the secondary contact element <NUM> is partially embedded within the insulator <NUM> and the tertiary contact element <NUM> rests on the surface of the insulator <NUM>. The secondary contact element <NUM> includes a hidden portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, which is embedded in the insulator <NUM> and a plurality of exposed portions <NUM> extending from the hidden portion <NUM> and at least on an upper surface <NUM> of the seats of the first row <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>.

It should be understood that the tertiary contact element may be partially embedded within the insulator, or the secondary contact element may be resting on a surface of the insulator without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

One skilled in the art will readily understand that a portion of the secondary contact element is "exposed" when at least one surface of said portion is not in contact with the insulator such that an electrode resting on the exposed surface of the secondary contact element can exchange electrical current with the secondary contact element.

According to the embodiment of the distribution assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the tertiary contact element <NUM> includes an elongated body <NUM> and lateral arms <NUM> extending laterally and outwardly from the elongated body <NUM>. The tertiary contact element <NUM> is configured to provide electrical contact to cathodes 8b of the second row (not shown in <FIG>). The elongated body <NUM> and the lateral arms <NUM> of the tertiary contact element <NUM> are configured to rest on the channel <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>, further optionally between seats <NUM> of the first row and seats <NUM> of the second row. Further optionally, the elongated body <NUM> of the tertiary contact element <NUM> may be abutted to the abutment wall <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>, and the lateral arms <NUM> of the tertiary contact element <NUM> may be located between abutment projections <NUM> on the lateral channels <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>. The lateral arms <NUM> of the tertiary contact element <NUM> may be substantially aligned with the seats <NUM> of the second row.

According to the embodiment of the distribution assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the embodiments of the tertiary contact element illustrated in <FIG>, the lateral arms <NUM> of the tertiary contact element <NUM> have an upper surface <NUM> which is tapered. The upper surface <NUM> of each lateral arm <NUM> of the tertiary contact element <NUM> may have an inverted V-shape.

In some implementations, seats of the secondary contact element may have a tapered upper surface, optionally of inverted V-shape.

Aspects of the present invention also relates to a capping board or capping board segment for maintaining symmetrical rows of electrodes in the electrolytic cell. In some implementations, the electrical distribution assembly as defined above may further include such a capping board.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the assembly further includes a capping board <NUM> (or capping board segment <NUM>) for providing insulation and support to the primary contact element (not shown in <FIG>). The capping board segment <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and first and second opposed rows of support projections 48a, 48b extending upwardly from the main body <NUM>. The first and second opposed rows of support projections 48a, 48b are spaced apart from each other so as to define having a central channel <NUM> shaped to receive the primary contact element (not shown in <FIG>). The support projections of a same row are spaced apart from one another, according to a first distance and a second distance respectively, so as to define an alternation of a first lateral recess <NUM> and a second lateral recess <NUM> for maintaining each anode <NUM> and each cathode <NUM> respectively. Optionally, the support projections of the first row 48a may be aligned with the support projections of the opposed second row 48b. Further optionally, the second lateral recesses <NUM> of the capping board segment <NUM> may be narrower than the first lateral recesses <NUM>.

It should be understood that the first and second distance may be selected such that each first lateral recess can receive an anode, and such that each second lateral recess can receive a cathode. One skilled in the art will readily understand that the recesses of the capping board are configured to prevent the anodes and cathodes from wobbling as they are maintained between the support projections while resting on the lateral recesses.

It is worth mentioning that throughout the following description, when referring to the distribution assembly, insulator, primary contact element, secondary contact element and/or tertiary contact element, it may also refer to a sub-assembly, segment or sub-elements, and vice-versa, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless aspects of the former clearly cannot be combined to ones of the latter due to their exclusivity. For example, as illustrated in the Figures, insulator segments or sub-elements may be configured to cooperate with one another so as to form an elongated insulator provided with a plurality of contact sub-elements adjacently positioned on or in the elongated insulator. Advantageously, sub-elements of insulator or of contact elements may be easily removed from the electrolytic cell for maintenance or replacement. Indeed, during maintenance or replacement operations, an operator only has to lift one part of the hanging bars of the electrodes at a time, instead of all hanging bars of the electrolytic cell, to recover an insulator segment and contact sub-elements of the electrical distribution assembly.

It should be understood that embodiments of the electrical distribution assembly may differ from those illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, which are to be used in connection to symmetrical rows of electrodes. For example, the electrical distribution assembly may include a single insulator adapted to provide support, positioning and electrical contact to asymmetrical rows of electrodes.

It should further be understood that the electrical distribution within the electrolytic cell may depend on the geometry and material of the secondary and tertiary contact element. For example, the location where the electrode is in contact with the secondary contact element or tertiary contact element can be considered as an electrical resistance point for distribution of the electrical current. Depending on the weight of the electrode, the selection of an adequate geometry at the contact location may further enhance electrical distribution by reducing the electrical resistance at said contact location.

Disclosed is also a method for enhancing distribution of the electrical current in specific locations of an electrolytic cell including first and second rows of an alternation of anodes and cathodes. The method may be schematically illustrated as in <FIG>. Steps of the method may be performed simultaneously. Referring to <FIG>, the method includes allowing electrical contact between each anode of the first row 6a and a primary contact element <NUM> while insulating each anode of the second row 6b from said primary contact element <NUM>. The method further includes allowing electrical contact between each cathode of the second row 8b and the primary contact element <NUM> while insulating each cathode of the first row 8a from said primary contact element <NUM>. The method further includes allowing electrical contact between each anode of the second row 6b and a secondary contact element <NUM> to enhance distribution of the electrical current in each anode of the second row 6b. The method also includes allowing electrical contact between each cathode of the first row 8a and a tertiary contact element <NUM> to enhance distribution of the electrical current in each cathode of the first row 8a. One skilled in the art will readily understand that the method may encompass the use of any secondary and tertiary contact elements to provide additional conductive locations within the electrolytic cell such that the electrical current can be distributed in an alternative way between the electrodes in comparison to the typical conduction path through the electrolytic bath.

Disclosed is also an asymmetrical electrical distribution assembly for implementation in the electrolytic cell. <FIG> illustrate embodiments of the invention in relation to asymmetrical electrodes.

<FIG> and <FIG> provide perspective views of implementations of an asymmetrical electrical distribution assembly <NUM> which cooperate with a primary contact element <NUM>, such as a contact bar or contact bar segment as described in patent applications <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, and a seen on <FIG> and <FIG>. The distribution assembly <NUM> includes an insulator <NUM>, a secondary contact element <NUM> and a tertiary contact element <NUM> made of electrically conductive material so as to be in electrical contact with electrodes resting thereon. The insulator <NUM> is configured to insulate the asymmetrical electrodes and/or the primary, secondary and tertiary contact elements from one another. Optionally, the secondary contact element <NUM> may be partially embedded in an insulating element <NUM> which lays on the insulator <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the secondary contact element <NUM> may be partially embedded within the insulating element <NUM>. As seen on <FIG>, the secondary contact element <NUM> may include a hidden portion <NUM>, which is embedded in the insulating element <NUM> and a plurality of exposed portions <NUM> extending from the hidden portion <NUM> and projecting above seats of the insulating element <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tertiary contact element <NUM> may include an elongated body having a triangular cross-sectional shape.

Referring to <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> is configured to insulate specific electrodes from the primary contact element <NUM> while allowing electrical contact between other electrodes and the primary contact element <NUM>. The electrodes include anodes <NUM> and cathodes <NUM> which are distributed in alternation along the insulator <NUM> in two opposed rows, such that the electrolytic cell includes first and second opposed rows of anodes 60a, 60b, and first and second opposed rows of cathodes 80a, 80b. It should be understood that asymmetrical electrodes (anodes and cathodes) refers to an asymmetrical configuration of electrodes wherein the first row of anodes 60a is in staggered relationship with the first row of cathodes 80a (with respect to the insulator <NUM>), and wherein the second row of anodes 60b is in staggered relationship with the second row of cathodes 80b. Consequently, as seen on <FIG>, a same primary contact element <NUM> is in electrical contact with anodes 60b from one side of the electrolytic cell and cathodes 80b from the opposed side of the electrolytic cell. Differently, and as seen on <FIG> for example, a symmetrical configuration of electrodes refers to an arrangement wherein the first row of anodes 6a is substantially aligned with the first row of cathodes 8a (with respect to the insulator <NUM>), and wherein the second row of anodes 6b is substantially aligned with the second row of cathodes 8b, such that anodes and cathodes from a same side of the electrolytic cell are in contact with the primary contact element <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> may be configured with respect to the primary contact element <NUM> so as to allow electrical contact between each cathode of the first row 80a and the primary contact element <NUM> while insulating each cathode of the second row 80b from said primary contact element <NUM>. The insulator <NUM> may be further configured with respect to the primary contact element <NUM> so as to allow electrical contact between each anode of the second row 60b and the primary contact element while insulating each anode of the first row 60a from said primary contact element <NUM>. It should be understood for example that the cathodes of the second row 80b are in contact with another primary contact element (which is not shown on <FIG>) located at the adjacent electrolytic cell.

Referring to <FIG>, an anode of the second row 60b may be in electrical contact with the primary contact element <NUM> when the opposed anode of the first row 60a may be in electrical contact with the tertiary contact element <NUM>, and vice versa. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a cathode of the first row 80a may be in electrical contact with the primary contact element <NUM> when the opposed cathode of the second row 80b may be in electrical contact with the secondary contact element <NUM>, and vice versa. Referring to <FIG>, anodes of the first row 60a may be in electrical contact with the primary contact element <NUM> when the opposed anodes of the second row 60b may be in electrical contact with the tertiary contact element <NUM>. The distribution assembly is therefore configured such that both ends of hanging bars of each electrode of the electrolytic cell are in electrical contact with a conductive element.

In some implementations, the insulator may be molded so as to provide adequate positioning to the primary contact element, secondary contact element and tertiary contact element. As seen on <FIG> and <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, three distinctive resting areas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for receiving the primary, secondary and tertiary contact elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, not shown on <FIG>) respectively and an assembly of abutment walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> providing abutment to the primary, secondary and tertiary contact elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, not shown on <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> may also include a row of protrusions <NUM>, extending upwardly from the primary resting area <NUM>, so as to be inserted in the primary contact element <NUM> (seen only on <FIG>) and provide stability thereto.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the insulator <NUM> may further include first and second opposed rows of support projections 480a, 480b extending upwardly from the main body <NUM>. Optionally, the support projections of the first row 480a may be spaced apart from one another according to a first distance and the support projections of the second row 480b may be spaced apart from one another according to a second distance, so as to define two opposed rows of lateral recesses <NUM>, <NUM> for maintaining each cathode <NUM> and each anode <NUM> respectively. Optionally, the support projections of the first row 480a may be in staggered relationship with the support projections of the opposed second row 480b. Further optionally, the first lateral recesses <NUM> may be narrower than the second lateral recesses <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An assembly (<NUM>) for implementation in an electrolytic cell (<NUM>) to facilitate enhanced distribution of electrical current in the electrodes of the electrolytic cell, the assembly including:
an insulator (<NUM>) configured to cooperate with a primary contact element (<NUM>) and comprising a body (<NUM>), and first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) rows of seats distributed along the body (<NUM>) and extending upwardly from said body (<NUM>) for supporting first and second opposing rows of electrodes, each row of electrodes being an alternation of anodes (<NUM>) and cathodes (<NUM>) and each seat of the second (<NUM>) rows of seats of the insulator (<NUM>) being configured to provide support and insulation to the cathode (<NUM>) resting thereon,
wherein the first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) rows of seats of the insulator are configured with respect to a primary contact element (<NUM>) so as to:
allow electrical contact between each anode (6a) of the first row and the primary contact element (<NUM>) while insulating each anode (6b) of the second row from the primary contact element (<NUM>), and
allow electrical contact between each cathode (8b) of the second row and the primary contact element (<NUM>) while insulating each cathode (8a) of the first row from the primary contact element (<NUM>),
a secondary contact element (<NUM>) configured to cooperate with the first row of seats (<NUM>) of the insulator (<NUM>) so as to be in electrical contact with each anode (6b) of the second row resting thereon, therefore facilitating enhanced distribution of the electrical current in the anodes (6b) of the second row; and
a tertiary contact element (<NUM>) configured to cooperate with the second row of seats (<NUM>) of the insulator so as to be maintained in place and be in electrical contact to each cathode (8a) of the first row resting thereon, therefore facilitating enhanced distribution of the electrical current in the cathodes (8a) of the first row;
and
wherein at least one of the secondary contact element (<NUM>) and the tertiary contact element (<NUM>), is partially embedded within the insulator (<NUM>) or rests on a surface of the insulator (<NUM>).