Abstract: A method of electrowinning a metal in which electrolysis and servicing and treatments of the electrodes are carried out using an electrode unit. A plurality of anode plates and cathode plates are allunately and insulatedly assembled and regularly spaced and secured. By use of such electrode units, the anode plates and the cathode plates can be arranged closely-spaced, and thus the efficiency of electrolysis is enhanced, the electrolytic cell can be made compact, and the operation space can be reduced. Also, this method is suitable for automation of an electrowinning operation.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is an apparatus for hanging and transferring a plurality of plate members, is provided with a plurality of hanger members, which are slidable along a supporting frame therefor and are able to space apart or bring together the hanging plate members. Therefore, when this apparatus is used for handling of electrode plates in electrowinning of a metal, the electrode plates can be subjected to various treatments in the spaced-apart condition or the brought-together condition as desired as being hung therefrom. Thus the treatments of the electordes can be efficiently effected. The apparatus can be provided with clamp means which bring the hanging plate members together, and tightly assemble them. The thus assembled electrode plates can be immersed in an electrolytic cell as a set, which improves the efficiency of the electrowinning process.