Device for extracting a metal electrolytically deposited on a cathode

Abstract

A device for producing a pure metal or an alloy of the pure metal via electrolytic reduction of an ore of the pure metal or of a substance containing an oxidized form of the pure metal includes: a cell equipped with an anode, a cathode, an electrolytic area comprising an electrolyte, and a removable cell closing system, the cathode having a coating non-adherent for an electrolytically deposited metal; and an electrically conductive metal sheet for extraction of a plate of the electrolytically deposited metal on the cathode, the metal sheet being arranged in the cell in a continuation of the cathode or partially overlapping the cathode, with mechanical and electrical contact at one end with the cathode and extending at least partly beyond the electrolytic area of the cell so as to allow simultaneous depositing of the pure metal on the cathode and on a portion of the metal sheet.

1 . A device for producing a pure metal or an alloy of the pure metal via electrolytic reduction of an ore of the pure metal or of a substance containing an oxidized form of the pure metal, the device comprising:
 a cell equipped with an anode, a cathode, an electrolytic area comprising an electrolyte, and a removable cell closing system, the cathode having a coating non-adherent for an electrolytically deposited metal; and   an electrically conductive metal sheet for extraction of a plate of the electrolytically deposited metal on the cathode, the metal sheet being arranged in the cell in a continuation of the cathode or partially overlapping the cathode, with mechanical and electrical contact at one end with the cathode and extending at least partly beyond the electrolytic area of the cell so as to allow simultaneous depositing of the pure metal on the cathode and on a portion of the metal sheet in contact with the electrolytic area,   wherein an adherence between the cathode and the electrolytically deposited metal being less than an adherence between the metal sheet and the electrolytically deposited metal such that the electrolytically deposited metal is separated from the cathode and is drawn out by the metal sheet during a subsequent extraction of the metal sheet via a mechanical means applied on a portion of the metal sheet, which extends beyond the electrolytic area by a translational movement.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the metal sheet is less than 50% of a length of the cathode. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode comprises at least one of carbon, graphite having low surface roughness, graphite impregnated or coated with pore fillers, or pure metals or coated alloys thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one portion of the metal sheet, in continuation of the cathode and projecting beyond the electrolytic area, is received in the removable closing system, which is closed in operation to hold the electrolyte within the cell. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 grasping means cooperating with the metal sheet or elements thereof to allow extraction of an assembly of the metal sheet and the electrolytically deposited metal.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the grasping means comprise clamping means, or added geometric elements cooperating together to ensure a pulling action. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 locking means configured to hold the metal sheet and the electrolytically deposited metal in position when opening the cell and for subsequent extraction of an assembly of the plate and metal sheet by the grasping means, the locking means coinciding with the grasping means.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is tilted at an angle of 20° to 60° from horizontal,
 wherein the device further comprises electrodes that are planar and that have an inter-electrode distance of between 1 mm and 50 mm, 
 wherein the cathode is permanently fixed in the device, and 
 wherein the device further comprises mechanical extraction means configured to carry out extraction of an assembly of the metal sheet and electrolytically deposited metal along a translational movement parallel to the electrodes. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device provides that, after extraction, the metal sheet is either separated from the electrolytically deposited pure metal or alloy of the electrolytically deposited metal to prevent pollution, or subsequently melted with the electrolytically deposited metal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device provides electrolytic deposition of iron in a basic medium, and
 wherein the metal sheet comprises a low-carbon steel sheet.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device provides electrorefining of zinc, nickel, or copper, in an acid medium, and
 wherein the metal sheet comprises a zinc, nickel, or copper plate, respectively.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the length of the metal sheet is less than 10% of the length of the cathode. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the grasping means comprise the clamping means, and
 wherein the clamping means comprise grippers, cylinders, bolts, or traction hooks cooperating with holes in the metal sheet.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the inter-electrode distance is between 6 and 20 mm.