GB641960A - Improvements in or relating to electrolysers having soluble anodes - Google Patents

Abstract

641,960. Electrolysis. LAWARREE, H. June 24, 1947, No. 16656. Convention date, June 25, 1946. [Class 41] An electrolyser for refining or recovering pure metals from scrap of the kind in which the scrap, forming a soluble anode, is contained in a basket inert to the electrolyte, is provided with one or more supports or bases of insulating material also inert as regards the electrolyte and which has smooth surfaces so inclined that the metal scrap slides over these surfaces towards the outer vertical walls of the basket and with a screen or diaphragm whose electrical resistance in the path of the electrolysing current decreases progressively from top to bottom inserted between the scrap metal anode and the cathode. As shown, the base 8 is constituted, e.g. of a porcelain cone or of glass plates and the current is fed to the scrap metal anode 6 through a sheet 11 consisting of such metal that salts formed by the action thereon of the electrolyte are soluble in the electrolyte; e.g. the sheet 11 may be of copper or aluminium when employing an acid copper sulphate bath for refining copper. A weight 12 is mounted on the sheet 11 to ensure good contact between the sheet and the scrap metal anode 6. The walls 3 of the basket. are preferably lined with a screen 5 of insulating material which is proof against attack by the electrolyte. The screen or diaphragm 10, the electrical resistance of which decreases progressively from top to bottom may comprise, for example, two layers of acid-resisting filter cloth sandwiched between three layers of perforated celluloid sheet of different lengths, the lateral edges of the outer sheets being stuck together by means of acetone.