The recovery of noble metal(s) from noble-metal-containing material is generally described. The noble metal(s) can be recovered selectively, in some cases, such that noble metal(s) is at least partially separated from non-noble-metal material within the material. Noble metal(s) may be recovered from noble-metal-containing material using mixtures of acids, in some instances. In some cases, the mixture can comprise nitric acid and/or another source of nitrate ions and at least one supplemental acid, such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or a sulfonic acid. The amount of nitrate ions within the mixture can be, in some instances, relatively small compared to the amount of supplemental acid within the mixture. In some cases, the recovery of noble metal(s) using the acid mixtures described herein can be enhanced by transporting an electric current between an electrode and the noble metal(s) of the noble-metal-containing material. In some cases, acid mixtures can be used to recover silver from particular types of scrap materials, such as scrap material comprising silver metal and cadmium oxide and/or scrap material comprising silver metal and tungsten metal.

A method of acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning is described. In various embodiments, at least one liquid licorice root extract, powdered licorice root extract, or reconstituted licorice extract is added in an amount sufficient to the acidic electrolyte solution of the copper electrowinning process to suppress acid mist from the acidic electrolyte solution during the copper electrowinning process. In various embodiments, combinations of licorice extract and surfactant show synergies in acid mist suppression during copper electrowinning.

A process for recovering gold from a refractory gold ore, comprising the steps of: electrolyzing a mixture consisting of the ore particles and an aqueous bromide solution in an electrolytic cell having anode and cathode, wherein bromine is produced at the anode by oxidation of the bromide, thereby dissolving gold in the aqueous phase; separating the ore particles from the aqueous phase to obtain a leach liquor; adjusting the pH of the leach liquor to the alkaline range to produce a gold-containing precipitate; collecting the gold-containing precipitate and recycling a bromide-containing barren solution for reuse as an aqueous bromide feed solution.

A method of acid mist suppression in copper electrowinning is described. In various embodiments, at least one liquid licorice root extract, powdered licorice root extract, or reconstituted licorice extract is added in an amount sufficient to the acidic electrolyte solution of the copper electrowinning process to suppress acid mist from the acidic electrolyte solution during the copper electrowinning process. In various embodiments, combinations of licorice extract and surfactant show synergies in acid mist suppression during copper electrowinning.

A filter press device for electrolytic production of metal for electrodeposition of metal from solutions, constructed from a plurality of cells connected electrically and hydraulically in series. Each has alternating frames and ion-exchange membranes to form alternating anode and cathode compartments, allowing the free path of liquid. Anolyte or catholyte passes through each compartment. The electrolyzed product is discharged from the compartment in the form of metal or a metallic compound. The electrodes are designed with a vertical base plate acting as an anode with the respective anolyte in a cell unit and in the other, acting as a cathode with the respective catholyte in the adjacent cell unit. Completed the production cycle, the device is stopped, the cell is opened, allowing the metal deposition electrodes, cathodes, can be removed and replaced to start a new productive cycle or remain in place with automatic detachment of metal product.

A filter press device for electrolytic production of metal for electrodeposition of metal from solutions, constructed from a plurality of cells connected electrically and hydraulically in series. Each has alternating frames and ion-exchange membranes to form alternating anode and cathode compartments, allowing the free path of liquid. Anolyte or catholyte passes through each compartment. The electrolyzed product is discharged from the compartment in the form of metal or a metallic compound. The electrodes are designed with a vertical base plate acting as an anode with the respective anolyte in a cell unit and in the other, acting as a cathode with the respective catholyte in the adjacent cell unit. Completed the production cycle, the device is stopped, the cell is opened, allowing the metal deposition electrodes, cathodes, can be removed and replaced to start a new productive cycle or remain in place with automatic detachment of metal product.

A method for extracting uranium with a coupling device of wind power generation and uranium extraction from seawater includes the following steps: adding oxygen vacancy (OV)-containing In.sub.2O.sub.3-x to absolute ethanol, and subjecting a resulting mixture to stirring and ultrasonic treatment to obtain a solution of In.sub.2O.sub.3-x in absolute ethanol; coating the solution uniformly on carbon cloth, and drying to obtain carbon cloth coated with OV-containing In.sub.2O.sub.3-x; inserting the coated carbon cloth (as a working electrode) and another blank carbon cloth (as a counter electrode) into a plastic carrier of a coupling device; fixing a small wind power generation apparatus above the plastic carrier, and connecting the working electrode and the counter electrode to a storage battery of the apparatus via wires; and placing the coupling device in seawater, and after the storage battery is charged, energizing the working electrode and the counter electrode to extract uranium from the seawater.

The recovery of noble metal(s) from noble-metal-containing material is generally described. The noble metal(s) can be recovered selectively, in some cases, such that noble metal(s) is at least partially separated from non-noble-metal material within the material. Noble metal(s) may be recovered from noble-metal-containing material using mixtures of acids, in some instances. In some cases, the mixture can comprise nitric acid and/or another source of nitrate ions and at least one supplemental acid, such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or a sulfonic acid. The amount of nitrate ions within the mixture can be, in some instances, relatively small compared to the amount of supplemental acid within the mixture. In some cases, the recovery of noble metal(s) using the acid mixtures described herein can be enhanced by transporting an electric current between an electrode and the noble metal(s) of the noble-metal-containing material. In some cases, acid mixtures can be used to recover silver from particular types of scrap materials, such as scrap material comprising silver metal and cadmium oxide and/or scrap material comprising silver metal and tungsten metal.

The invention relates to an electrode which can be employed in the cells of plants for the electrolytic extraction of copper and other non-ferrous metals from ionic solutions. The electrode consists of an apparatus comprising at least one anodic panel for the evolution of oxygen or chlorine connected through a plurality of resistors in parallel to at least one distribution structure for electrical current. The panel may optionally exhibit areas of electrical discontinuity. The invention also relates to an electrolyser using the electrode described above.

The invention relates to an electrode which can be employed in the cells of plants for the electrolytic extraction of copper and other non-ferrous metals from ionic solutions. The electrode consists of an apparatus comprising at least one anodic panel for the evolution of oxygen or chlorine connected through a plurality of resistors in parallel to at least one distribution structure for electrical current. The panel may optionally exhibit areas of electrical discontinuity. The invention also relates to an electrolyser using the electrode described above.