Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed which includes a particulate electrode and a current conductor for feeding current to the particles of the particulate electrode, and means for flowing a fluid medium upwardly through the said particulate electrode, wherein a wall which forms part of a compartment defining the area occupied by the particulate electrode is provided with stabilizing means positioned so as to provide generally unidirectional flow channels which, when the electrochemical cell is in use, encourage vertical flow, and discourage bulk lateral movement, of said particles in the region of the said wall.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell and process are described for use in a plant for the cathodic recovery of a metal from, for example, an ore. The cell includes one or more intermediate compartments which are bounded by ion-permeable separators and are disposed between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment. In the process, an aqueous solution of a salt of the metal is circulated around a first circuit including the cathode compartment of the cell, and an acid solution is circulated around a second circuit including the anode compartment. The fluid in the intermediate compartment(s) may also be circulated.