| Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processesUSPTO Application #: 20070284243Title: Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes Abstract: A modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes comprising a nucleus formed by upper and lower rectangular frames, the nucleus. At least one cathode guide is attached to at least one of longitudinal beams. The at least one cathode guide is operable to keep positive ions from reaching border or edge of the cathode. At least one anode guide is provided. (end of abstract) Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Pedro A. Aylwin, Andres A. Cardeon, Manuel C. Umana USPTO Applicaton #: 20070284243 - Class: 204198000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical And Wave Energy, Apparatus, Electrolytic, Object Protection, Work Conveyer The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070284243. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The industrial obtainment of high purity metals such as copper, nickel, zinc and others is carried out mostly by electrolytic deposits from acid or alkaline water solutions of the respective metals. Whether the metal is obtained from its solutions using insoluble anodes or by dissolving anodes of the metal itself, stainless steel cathodes, also known as permanent cathodes, are vastly used through out these industries. [0002] Although the use of permanent cathodes has solved some processing issues; because the metal is also deposited on their vertical and lower horizontal edges the dislodging of the metal deposited presents severe difficulties. Moreover, since this step is done mechanically by introducing knives between the metal deposited and the stainless steel plate, irregularities on the edges and scratches and deformations on the faces of the cathodes occur. All this means that the stainless steel cathodes must be straightened, re-polished and on occasion replaced with the resulting associated costs. [0003] To avoid the electro-deposition of the metal on the edges of the cathodes, some have resorted to covering them with plastic strips to keep them from having contact with the electrolyte. Although the strips are pressure locked onto the sides of the cathodes, the fact that the electrolysis is carried out at temperatures of about 50.degree. Celsius causes the strips to expand and deform. These deformations result in an imperfect seal of the borders of the cathodes that allow large nodules of metal to be electro-deposited on the exposed zones. These nodules add another degree of difficulty to the removal of the plastic strips as well as to the metal deposited. When this occur the metal nodules have to be hammered off to be removed. During this operation the lower ends of the strips are destroyed, making their replacement necessary with the resulting associated costs. [0004] Attempts have also been made to cover the sides of the cathodes that are submerged in electrolyte with a half-frame, shaped like a letter U, of the same metal that is being obtained, so as to form a screen that keeps the deposits from forming on the borders. Although it is true that this screen reduces the amount deposited, it does not solve the entire problem. [0005] In an attempt to resolve this weakness, an effort was made to connect the half-frame to an external source of radio frequency, which would solve the problem. Nevertheless, the fact that the half-frame is made of metal and that it is connected to the same potential of the cathode, causes the metal to deposit also on the outside of the half-frame, increasing its thickness, and forcing its reconditioning or replacement after a few production cycles. [0006] In addition to the problems mentioned, because the anodes and cathodes are suspended freely within the cell, when the anodes and cathodes oscillate occasional short-circuits are produced that diminish the current efficiency of the operation and force the re-processing of the damaged products and the repairing or replacement of the anodes and cathodes. [0007] All these problems increase production costs and lower the quality of the cathodes produced having detrimental business consequences. [0008] Recently, a holding structure of an insulating material was designed, to which energizable slots were attached. These slots serve as vertical guides for the sides of the cathodes so they have been named "cathode guides". These slots can be energized with a DC current and a high frequency voltage potential to control the cathode peripheral deposit and eliminate the use of plastic strips to solve this problem. [0009] Another problem associated to the operation in the electro-metallurgical processes is the formation of acid fog that cause health problems among the workers and damages to the structures of buildings, equipment and instruments. Efforts have been made to try and solve this problem by either inhibiting its formation by the introduction of radio frequencies or preventing its propagation outside the cell by the application of air-curtains to condense the vapors present in the fog and return the condensates to the electrolyte, the use of extraction hoods, surfactants to reduce the surface tension of the solution and minimize electrolyte pulling, plastic spheres to reduce the electrolyte pulling. SUMMARY [0010] To overcome some of the problems mentioned above and to realize some of the discussed advantages, there is provided a modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes comprising a nucleus formed by upper and lower rectangular frames, the nucleus. At least one cathode guide is attached to at least one of longitudinal beams. The at least one cathode guide is operable to keep positive ions from reaching border or edge of the cathode. At least one anode guide is provided. [0011] Another aspect of the disclosed teachings is a use of the system described above in a treatment of liquid waste or electroplating. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The above objectives and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: [0013] FIG. 01.a is an isometric view of a subassembly of two cathode guide profiles according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 01 shows an enlarged isometric view of the upper part of a subassembly of two cathode guide profiles according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 02.a shows an isometric view of an anode guide profile according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 02 shows an enlarged isometric view of the upper part of an anode guide profile according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 03 shows an isometric view of the Nucleus of the Modular System for Improving Electro-metallurgical Processes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 04 shows an isometric view of a Horizontal Spacer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 05a-b show an isometric view of the Cathode type Nucleus Holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 06 shows an isometric view of the Anode Bracket type Nucleus Holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0021] FIG. 07 shows an isometric view of the Head-type Nucleus Holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for treating gases by high frequency discharges Next Patent Application: Electrolysis apparatus with pulsed, dual voltage, multi-composition electrode assembly Industry Class: Chemistry: electrical and wave energy ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Modular system for improving electro-metallurgical processes patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.7848 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , |
||
