Electrochemical device and system for metal recovery

Abstract

A metal recovery electrochemical cell includes a metal-based anode; a metal-based cathode; and a metal-based housing with a conical shape and a draft angle of about 0.01 to about 1 degree, the draft angle of the metal-based housing being an angle between a vertical centerline of the metal-based housing and an adjacent vertical side of the metal-based housing, when both are extrapolated to form an angle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metal recovery electrochemical cell comprising:
 a metal-based anode;   a metal-based cathode; and   a metal-based housing with a conical shape and a draft angle of about 0.01 to about 1 degree, the draft angle of the metal-based housing being an angle between avertical centerline of the metal-based housing and an adjacent vertical side of the metal-based housing, when both are extrapolated to form an angle.   
     
     
         2 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the draft angle of the metal-based housing is about 0.15 to about 0.60 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-based cathode further comprises a draft angle that is an angle between the vertical centerline of the metal-based cathode and an adjacent vertical side of the metal-based cathode, when both are extrapolated to form an angle. 
     
     
         4 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 3 , wherein the metal-based cathode draft angle is about 0.01 to about 1 degree. 
     
     
         5 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 3 , wherein the draft angle of the metal-based cathode is about 0.15 to about 0.60 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a cylindrical edge guard on a top of the metal-based cathode. 
     
     
         7 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a cylindrical edge guard on a bottom of the metal-based cathode. 
     
     
         8 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-based anode is a titanium-coated mixed-metal oxide. 
     
     
         9 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-based cathode is a 316 stainless steel sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-based housing comprises a 316 stainless steel. 
     
     
         11 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a separator between the metal-based anode and the metal-based cathode. 
     
     
         12 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 11 , further comprising a membrane arranged on the metal-based anode and the metal-based cathode. 
     
     
         13 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of a first end of the metal-based housing is different than an inner diameter of a second end of the metal-based housing. 
     
     
         14 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 1 , wherein the metal-based cathode comprises a metal with a linear polarization resistance (LPR) of less than 0.1 millimeters per year (mmpy), as measured by ISO 17475—Corrosion of Metals and Alloys. 
     
     
         15 . A metal recovery electrochemical system comprising:
 a metal purification electrochemical cell comprising at least one carbon-based electrode and at least one metal-based electrode; and   a metal recovery electrochemical cell comprising a metal-based cathode and a metal-based anode, and a metal-based housing with a conical shape and a draft angle of about 0.01 to about 1 degree, the draft angle of the metal-based housing being an angle between a vertical centerline of the metal-based housing and an adjacent vertical side of the metal-based housing, when both are extrapolated to form an angle;   wherein the metal recovery electrochemical cell is arranged downstream from the metal purification electrochemical cell.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one carbon-based electrode is a carbon felt, a woven carbon cloth, a carbon film, a non-woven, or an activated carbon material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one metal-based electrode comprises a metal with one or more metal oxides arranged on the metal. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a regeneration tank arranged between the metal purification electrochemical cell and the metal recovery electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         19 . A metal recovery electrochemical cell comprising:
 a metal-based anode;   a metal-based cathode surrounding the metal-based anode; and   a cap covering an end of the metal-based cathode, the cap comprising a cylindrical edge guard with an internal cylindrical wall, a medial cylindrical wall, and a circumferential wall.   
     
     
         20 . The metal recovery electrochemical cell of  claim 19 , further comprising a metal-based housing with a cylindrical shape.