Rotating Disc Cementing Apparatus for Continuous Noble Metal Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cementation processes in metallurgical industries face issues such as decreased kinetics and contamination due to the noble metal settling on the surface of the less noble metal, leading to unreacted cores and higher operating costs, as well as being mostly discontinuous and batch-based, resulting in lower productivity.

Innovation Solution

A cementing apparatus where one phase moves at a high speed relative to the other, utilizing a shaft with cementing metal discs submerged in the solution to maintain a constant maximum surface for cementation, allowing simultaneous cementation and detachment of the noble metal, and continuous removal means to extract the precipitated metal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the less noble metal is used in excess to increase contact surface, then the cementation reaction efficiency is improved, but the operating costs increase and unreacted metal contaminates the product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecementation reaction efficiencyVSAvoidexcess cementing metal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms the static cementing metal surface into a dynamic rotating surface. The rotation speed is controlled to optimize the balance between maintaining sufficient contact time for cementation and preventing excessive metal consumption, thereby improving reaction efficiency without requiring excess metal addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters by controlling the rotation speed of the cementing metal discs. By adjusting the rotation speed within an optimal range, the system achieves high cementation efficiency while minimizing metal consumption and contamination, resolving the contradiction between productivity and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the cementation process is made continuous, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements continuous cementation by rotating the cementing metal discs continuously while solution flows through the system. This allows the cementation reaction to proceed without interruption, with the rotating discs constantly presenting fresh surface area to the solution, thereby achieving continuous operation and improved productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The cementing metal is divided into multiple discs arranged on a rotating shaft. This segmentation allows each disc to function as an independent reactive surface, enabling continuous processing while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the noble metal settles on the cementing metal surface, then the cementation reaction proceeds, but the kinetics decreases due to surface coating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecementation reaction progressVSAvoidcementation kinetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses rotation to dynamically refresh the cementing metal surface. The rotating discs continuously present new surface areas to the solution, preventing the formation of thick coating layers that would slow down the reaction kinetics, thereby maintaining high reaction speed throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation of the discs creates periodic exposure of fresh surface areas to the solution. This periodic renewal of the reactive surface prevents kinetic slowdown by ensuring that the cementation reaction always occurs on relatively clean surfaces rather than on surfaces covered by thick metal coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This approach maintains optimal cementation kinetics and purity by ensuring a constant reactive surface, eliminating the need for excess cementing metal and allowing continuous operation, resulting in higher-quality noble metal production with reduced costs.

Implementation Method 1

achieve chemical reduction of said noble metal by means of using another less noble metal that comes into contact with the solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reduction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP3587603B1Metal cementing apparatus and continuous cementation method by means of same
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 COBRE LAS CRUCES SAU
  • EP3587603B1 patent drawingFigure 1.1~1.2
  • EP3587603B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3587603B1 patent drawingFigure 3.1~3.2

AI summary

The present invention relates, on one hand, to a metal cementing apparatus (1) formed by a vessel (2) with a liquid phase formed by a solution (3) containing noble metal, and a solid phase formed by a cementing metal or a less noble metal in contact with the solution (3), where one of said phases moves at a high speed with respect to the other one, and the difference in speeds allows the cementation of the noble metal on the solid phase, and the simultaneous detachment and separation thereof, and comprises means for generating the movement of at least the phase with the high speed and removing means for removing the precipitated noble metal. The invention describes, on the other hand, a continuous cementation method consisting of passing a continuous flow of solution in a vessel (2); reacting the solid phase with the liquid phase, where one of said phases moves at a high speed with respect to the other one, causing the fixing of the noble metal and the simultaneous detachment thereof; removing the precipitated noble metal.