Permanent Cathode Groove Design for Metal Stripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current permanent cathode technologies face issues with the detachment of cathode metal halves during electro-refining and recovery processes, leading to problems such as metal sticking, creasing, and the need for additional straightening, due to the use of wax or varying groove depths and shapes, which affect the quality and recyclability of metals like copper, nickel, and zinc.
Innovation Solution
A permanent cathode design featuring a mother plate with two parallel side edges and a bottom edge that includes a combination of V grooves and flat bridging sections, allowing for easy stripping and adhesion of cathode metal halves, preventing creasing and eliminating the need for additional straightening, while optimizing the detachment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a V groove is cut on the bottom edge of the permanent cathode mother plate, then the cathode metal halves break off easily during stripping, but the cathode metal halves may break apart completely instead of staying adhered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different groove depths at different locations on the bottom edge of the mother plate. The groove portion has a first depth in regions where easy breaking is desired, and a second, greater depth in regions where adhesion is needed. This spatial variation in groove depth allows different functional zones along the same edge structure.
2Reliability
If the bottom edge of the permanent cathode plate is completely flat, then the cathode metal halves grow together properly, but the metal gets stuck at the bottom edge during stripping and requires additional straightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing a groove portion only at specific locations on the bottom edge rather than across the entire edge. This allows the majority of the bottom edge to remain flat for proper metal growth and adhesion, while localized groove features facilitate breaking at specific points during stripping.
3Ease of operation
If wax is used on the edge strips and bottom edge of the mother plate, then the cathode metal detachability is improved, but the wax causes problems in the electrolysis process and affects cathode metal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the wax substance from the system by replacing the wax-based detachment mechanism with a groove-based mechanical structure. The groove portion enables cathode metal half detachment through controlled breaking along the groove line, eliminating the need for wax and its associated contamination problems in the electrolysis process.
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 proposed design ensures effective adhesion and detachment of cathode metal halves, improving the quality and recyclability of metals, reducing operational challenges and enhancing the efficiency of the electro-refining and recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
anode copper in the form of anodes is transferred onto cathodes by means of an electric current to provide cathode copper
Implementation Method 2
The groove portion (8) comprises a first depth in a first region and a second, greater depth in a second region
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~8
Figure 9~14
AI summary
The invention relates to a permanent cathode (3) that is to be used as electrode in the electro-refining and/or recovery of metals, such as copper, zinc, cobalt or nickel. The permanent cathode (3) comprises a planar mother plate (4) that is made of metal and comprises two sides (5). The mother plate (4) comprises an edge (6), which at least partly surrounds the metal plate. The edge (6) comprises a groove portion (8) that is provided with a groove (7). The groove portion (8) comprises at least one bridging section (9) for joining together, over the groove portion (8) of the edge (6) of the metal plate at the at least one bridging section (9), the cathode metal halves (15), such as cathode copper halves, cathode zinc halves, cathode cobalt halves or cathode nickel halves, which are formed on the sides (5) of the mother plate (4) in the electro-refining of the metals.