Desludging System for Electrolytic Cells

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a desludging system for electrolytic cells for metal production in the hydrometallurgical industry. Specifically, it relates to a system for desludging cells, preferably for copper cathodes, which comprises removable collectors for lead sludge accumulated at the bottom of cells. Collectors are located at the bottom of the cell and lead sludge is transported towards trays which are later removed from the cell with the sludge thereon without having to stop the cathode production.

1 . A desludging system for electrolytic cells for metal production in the hydrometallurgical industry, which operates without having to stop current supply of cells thereby stopping cathode production, comprising in said system a collector formed by a continuous belt device with a feed roller activated by a driving system and a free roller joint by a pair of parallel rails which join the axles in each roller, whereon a continuous belt is placed and the sludge from the electrowinning process is deposited thereon; at the ends of the continuous belt device and adjacent to the narrow ends of the electrowinning cell, one or more removal trays have been installed which receive the sludge accumulated on the collector continuous belt and such feed is produced by activating the driving system on the feed roller and consequently the free roller. 
   
   
       2 . A desludging system according to  claim 1 , wherein such continuous belt device also comprises a framework formed by lateral bars which support such parallel rails which support both the driving roller and free roller forming a firm structure where the collector continuous belt moves. 
   
   
       3 . A desludging system according to  claim 2 , wherein the framework has a rectangular shape and comprises the complete area where oxides separate within the cell, leaving a space at the ends in order to install removal trays for desludging. 
   
   
       4 . A desludging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the framework is fitted onto parallel bars through dovetails which enable such framework to keep its position within the system. 
   
   
       5 . A desludging system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removal trays have a rectangular shape with a width slightly narrower than the width of the cell, and a height such that the height enables the incorporation of a multiple section labyrinth type cap which helps to encapsulate the sludge transferred through the continuous belt. 
   
   
       6 . A desludging system according to  claim 5 , wherein the base of the tray has a rubber border throughout the rectangular perimeter which is in contact with the cup in order to seal the tray before it is taken from the cell with the sludge therein. 
   
   
       7 . A desludging system according to  claim 1 , wherein a high relief border is incorporated at lateral ends of the continuous belt to prevent sludge from moving sideward, thereby spreading the sludge towards the bottom of the cell. 
   
   
       8 . A desludging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises at a driving roller zone a sludge scraper to clean any remaining sludge on the continuous belt. 
   
   
       9 . A desludging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is manufactured with materials which are acid resistant materials and which do not conduct electricity. 
   
   
       10 . A desludging system according to  claim 9 , wherein said materials are synthetic rubber, polyethylene plastics, polypropylene or the like. 
   
   
       11 . A desludging system according to  claim 1 , wherein a cell may include as many systems as possible depending on its size in order to include the complete area where the material to be desludged may fall.