Patent ID: 6843896

Claim:
An apparatus for purifying a metal, comprising: an electrolysis cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, the anode compartment and cathode compartment being in electrical connection with one another through an electrolyte solution; at least one anionic exchange membrane extending into the electrolyte solution and separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment, the cathode compartment extending to a height above the anode compartment, the membrane extending to a height between the heights of the anode compartment and the cathode compartment such that electrolyte fluid within the cathode compartment can flow over the membrane and into the anode compartment; an anode within the anode compartment, the anode comprising an impure form of the metal; and an ion exchange resin in fluidic communication with the electrolyte solution of the an cathode compartment.