Lead Recovery Cooling and Filtration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Flubor Process for lead recovery experiences interruptions and plugging issues due to the sudden precipitation of solids in the circulating solution, particularly in the electrolytic cells, caused by alkali salts and organic materials, which interfere with lead deposition and quality.
Innovation Solution
A system that cools the circulating fluoroboric acid solution to precipitate alkali salts and organic materials, using a vacuum crystallizer to evaporatively cool the solution and filter out the precipitates, maintaining a controlled temperature and salt concentration to prevent further precipitation and improve lead recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the circulating solution is used to leach lead and recover it in electrolytic cells, then lead recovery efficiency is improved, but alkali salts precipitate and plug the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by cooling the circulating solution before it enters the electrolytic cells to precipitate alkali salts in advance. The solution is cooled to temperatures between 30-60°C in a cooling tank, causing alkali salts to precipitate before they can plug the electrolytic cells. This preventive measure ensures continuous operation while maintaining lead recovery efficiency.
2Reliability
If the solution is cooled to precipitate alkali salts, then system plugging is reduced, but additional cooling equipment and energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the existing temperature difference in the process system for cooling. The circulating solution is cooled in a cooling tank using ambient or process cooling water, leveraging the natural heat exchange without requiring complex refrigeration systems. This simple cooling approach reduces alkali salt precipitation issues while avoiding excessive device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If alkali salts are removed from the circulating solution, then lead deposition quality is improved, but filtration equipment and operations are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transitions by cooling the circulating solution to cause alkali salts to precipitate from the liquid phase to solid phase. The solution is cooled to 30-60°C, causing alkali salts to crystallize and precipitate, which are then easily removed by filtration. This phase change approach improves lead deposition quality by removing impurities while using a simple cooling-filtration system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the formation of undesirable precipitates, maintains system operation, and improves lead recovery by removing alkali salts and organic residues, using less energy and avoiding costly maintenance, while ensuring the quality of the lead produced.
Implementation Method 1
A cooler, for example an evaporative cooler, is provided for cooling at least a portion of the circulating solution sufficiently to precipitate alkali salts
Implementation Method 2
A cooler, for example an evaporative cooler, is provided for cooling at least a portion of the circulating solution
Implementation Method 3
a filter for removing precipitated alkali salts from the solution
Implementation Method 4
The solution of ferrous fluoroborate and lead fluoroborate circulates to a diaphragm electrolytic cell, where pure lead is deposited at the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recovering lead from lead-bearing materials by circulating an aqueous solution of ferric fluoroborate in fluoroboric acid through a leaching vessel to leach lead from the lead-bearing material and an electrolytic cell for recovering the lead includes a cooler for cooling at least a portion of the circulating solution sufficiently to precipitate alkali salts and alkali-earth salts, and a filter for removing the precipitated salts from the solution. A process for recovering lead from lead-bearing materials by leaching the lead from the lead-bearing material with a solution of ferric fluoroborate in fluoroboric acid and recovering the lead from the solution includes cooling at least a portion of the circulating solution sufficiently to precipitate alkali salts and alkali-earth salts, and filtering the salts from the solution.