Metal extraction on fluidized electrodes from solutions

Using the copper- and cadmium separation from zinc in sulfate solutions as an example, the effect of potentials of metallic phase of a fluidized electrode (FE) and metal segregation potentials on the rate of metal separation is considered. Spheric copper particles of 0.6 to 0.8 mm diameter served as FE material. The electrolyte contained ZnSO4(1 mol./l), CuSO4(1.45x10-3 mol./l) or CdSO4(2x10-2 and 0.98x10-2 mol./l). The electrolyte flow rate has been sustained within the limits of 2.4+-0.2 cm/s, which exceeds the critical fluidization by 10%. The results obtained prove that with the use of FE electropositive and electronegative m.tals can be separated. In all cases it is possible to refine a solution containing electronegative metal ions. Electropositive metal would be the less pure, the less the difference in potentials of the separated metals segregation is. Separation regimes are suggested for the abovesaid cases