Abstract: A method of improving metal leach kinetics and recovery during atmospheric or substantially atmospheric leaching of a metal sulfide is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the step of processing a metal sulfide concentrate in a reductive activation circuit 220 that operates at a first redox potential, to produce a reductively-activated metal sulfide concentrate. The method may further comprise the step of subsequently processing the activated metal sulfide concentrate in an oxidative leach circuit 240 to extract metal values. In some disclosed embodiments, reductive activation steps and/or oxidative dissolution steps may employ mechano-chemical and/or physico-chemical processing of particles or agglomerates thereof. Reductive activation may be made prior to heap leaching or bio-leaching operations to improve metal extraction. Systems for practicing the aforementioned methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recovering precious metals including silver and gold, rare metals including indium and gallium, base metals including copper, lead and zinc or a combination of precious, rare and base metals from complex oxide ores, sulfide ores or oxide and sulphide ores using an acid chloride oxidizing leach.

Abstract: A purification method of zinc sulfate leachate is provided. The purification method of zinc sulfate leachate comprises contacting the zinc sulfate leachate with a zinc powder under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form solution containing a precipitate of impurity metal; and removing the precipitate of impurity metal from the solution and getting a purified zinc sulfate leachate. A purified zinc sulfate leachate may be prepared with a higher purification efficiency and a lower energy consumption than prior art.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method and an apparatus for recovering indium, the method and apparatus ensuring that it is unnecessary to recover indium in the form of indium hydroxide, indium can be recovered easily by a filter or the like without handling inferiors and also, the recovery rate of indium is greatly improved. The method includes immersing a precipitation-inducing metal which includes zinc and is made into the form of a solid such that any part coming into view three-dimensionally has a longitudinal length of 2.5 to 10 mm in an etching waste solution containing at least indium and ferric chloride and allowed to stand, thereby allowing indium contained in the etching waste solution to precipitate on the surface of the precipitation-inducing metal based on a difference in ionization tendency between zinc and indium, and detaching the indium precipitated on the surface of the precipitation-inducing metal to recover it.

Abstract: Methods and systems for heavy metal separation and recovery from heavy metal-containing sludge or wastes. The method utilizes ultrasonic treatment assisted acid leaching process to separate and recover different heavy metals from multi metals-containing sludge. The technique can be cost effectively implemented for heavy metal separation and purification processes in the real world at industrial scales.

Abstract: A method of reducing or preventing the amount of iron sludge or precipitate that forms as a result of the recovery of silver from chemical solutions, such as a standard photographic solution. The method generally involves the introduction of a source of a conjugate organic base, such as a weak organic acid like citric acid or a salt of the conjugate organic base like a citrate salt, to the chemical fluid either before or during the silver recovery process. Preferably the source of conjugate organic base is introduced by combining it with a binder to form a time release cake or placing it in a container that has a semipermeable membrane that maintains the concentration of the conjugate organic base in the chemical fluid from about 0.2 to about 78 milimolar over a period of time.

Abstract: A method for recovering precious metals such as gold and silver from aqueous solution as solid is described The method includes mixing an aqueous solution (e.g, thiosulfate or thiocyanate lixiviant) containing precious metals with ferrous ions in the presence of an effective amount of hydroxide ions. The precious metal ions are reduced and co-precipitate with iron hydroxides and/or hydrated iron oxides The co-precipitate is collected and purified. De-oxygenation of the reaction solution is optional. The recover/method is fast, complete and clean.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of solutions or slurries containing dissolved metals comprises the steps of (a) contacting the solution or slurry with an ion exchange resin that selectively removes one or more dissolved metals from the solution or slurry wherein the solution or slurry and the resin are introduced into a vessel or column via sub-surface means, (b) separating loaded resin from the solution or slurry, (c) eluting the one or more metals from the loaded resin with an eluting agent, (d) separating the eluting solution containing eluted metal ions from the resin; and (e) transferring regenerated resin from step (d) back to step (a).

Abstract: A process for the production of ferro-nickel or nickel matte from a product liquor solution containing at least nickel, cobalt, iron and acid soluble impurities, said process including the steps of: (a) contacting the product liquor solution (7) containing the nickel, cobalt, iron and acid soluble impurities with an ion exchange resin (8), wherein the resin selectively absorbs nickel and iron from the solution leaving the cobalt and the acid soluble impurities in the raffinate (9); (b) stripping the nickel and iron from the resin with a sulfuric acid solution to produce an eluate (11) containing nickel and iron; (c) neutralising the eluate to precipitate a mixed nickel iron hydroxide product (13); and (d) reducing and smelting the mixed nickel iron hydroxide product to produce ferro-nickel (29) or nickel matte (24).

Abstract: A method for extraction a metal from a mineral ore including a refractory ore contained in a metal. The method includes concentration of refractory ore followed by micronization of the concentrate until gold is liberated by the extraction solution and mixing of micronized concentrate with concentration rejects or by-products to facilitate recovery of the treatment solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.

Abstract: A method to dissolve at least one metal from jarosite or other iron hydroxyl sulphate containing-material which includes the steps of subjecting the material to alkaline treatment in a brine solution to facilitate jarosite decomposition, and acidification of the brine slurry to solubilise the liberated metal.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of high purity zinc oxide products, and optionally iron-carbon feedstocks, from industrial waste streams containing zinc oxide and/or iron. The waste streams preliminary can be treated by adding carbon and an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components, as necessary, resulting in the zinc products and the optional iron-carbon feedbacks. Once the zinc oxide has been recovered, the purification process is used to further purify the zinc oxide to obtain zinc oxide which is at least 99.8% pure and which has predeterminable purity and particle characteristics. Various zinc compounds may then be quickly, easily, and economically produced from this recovered zinc oxide.

Abstract: A removal system for removing a waste metal from a waste solution. The removal system comprises outer and inner containers, inlet, intermediate, and outlet conduits, and first and second reaction media. The inner container defines an upper wall portion and is located within the outer container. The inlet conduit allows fluid to flow to the inner chamber and extends through the upper wall portion of the inner container. The intermediate conduit allows fluid flow from the inner chamber to the outer chamber. The outlet conduit allows fluid flow out of the outer chamber. The first reaction media located in the inner container. The second reaction media located in the outer container. The waste solution is forced along a removal path through the inlet conduit, the first reaction media, the intermediate conduit, the second reaction media, and the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of high purity zinc oxide products, and optionally iron-carbon feedstocks, from industrial waste streams containing zinc oxide and/or iron. The waste streams preliminary can be treated by adding carbon and an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components, as necessary, resulting in the zinc products and the optional iron-carbon feedbacks. Once the zinc oxide has been recovered, the purification process is used to further purify the zinc oxide to obtain zinc oxide which is at least 99.8% pure and which has predeterminable purity and particle characteristics. Various zinc compounds may then be quickly, easily, and economically produced from this recovered zinc oxide.

Abstract: It is possible to activate a physical reaction and/or a chemical reaction in a medium, comprising a solution and solid matter that is freely dispersed in said solution, by placing the mixture in a reactor that has two walls which are located opposite close to each other, whereby the mixture fills the space in between the two walls and forms therein a thin long layer in a direction that is defined by a geometrical axis parallel to the walls, by activating an agitating means that are disposed outside the reactor and capable of acting through said walls on an area of agitation covering part of the layer and having a small dimension in the direction of the geometrical axis, and by simultaneously displacing said agitating means in such a way that the area of agitation substantially spans the entire area located between the two walls.

Abstract: A removal system for removing a waste metal from a waste solution. The removal system comprises outer and inner containers and inlet, intermediate, and outlet conduits. The outer container defines an outer chamber, and the inner container defines an inner chamber. The inner container is located within the outer chamber. The inlet conduit allows fluid to flow from an exterior of the outer container to the inner chamber. The intermediate conduit allows fluid flow from the inner chamber to the outer chamber. The outlet conduit allows fluid flow from the outer chamber to the exterior of the outer chamber. A first reaction media located in the inner chamber, and a second reaction media located in the outer chamber. In use, the waste solution is forced along a removal path through the inlet conduit, the first reaction media, the intermediate conduit, the second reaction media, and the outlet conduit.

Abstract: RD-27,98216A method for reducing in situ the electrochemical corrosion potential and susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking of a nickel-base alloy and boiling water nuclear reactor components formed therefrom when in contact with high temperature water. The method comprises the steps of: adding a metal hydride to the high temperature water; dissociating the metal hydride in the high temperature water to form a metal and at least one hydrogen ion; and reducing the concentration of the oxidizing species by reacting the hydrogen ions with an oxidizing species, thereby reducing in situ the electrochemical corrosion potential of the nickel-base alloy. The method may further include the steps of reacting the metal with oxygen present in the high temperature water to form an insoluble oxide and incorporating the metal into the surface of the nickel-base alloy, thereby reducing the electrical conductivity of the surface of the nickel-base alloy.

Abstract: A method for reducing the formation of Zn(NH4)4Cl2 from ZnO/NH4Cl solutions formed during an industrial waste stream recycling method useful for the recovery of high purity zinc oxide products and other chemical and metal values from industrial waste streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for producing zinc oxide from a zinc-bearing material. The process according to the present invention comprises the steps of leaching the complex sulfide material with hydrochloric acid and oxygen; precipitating iron from the leach solution using magnesium oxide and oxygen; removing copper, silver, cadmium, cobalt and lead from the leach solution by cementation with zinc dust; precipitating zinc oxide from the leach solution using magnesium oxide; and spray roasting the remaining magnesium chloride leach solution to regenerate hydrochloric acid and magnesium oxide. The present invention further relates to processes for recovering copper, silver, lead, and iron from complex sulfide materials.

Abstract: Process for removing manganese values from a solution of a water-immiscible hydrocarbon containing manganese values and a water-insoluble oxime extractant capable of extracting nickel values from aqueous ammoniacal solutions comprising the steps ofI) contacting the water-immiscible hydrocarbon solution with a finely divided active metal and an aqueous solution of a strong acid to decrease or complete remove the manganese values from said water-immiscible hydrocarbon solution; andII) separating the stripped hydrocarbon solution from the aqueous solution.The invention also relates to a method for the extraction of nickel from nickel-containing ores in which a content of manganese values is present in which the above process is used.

Abstract: A three-stage process for removing mercury contaminants from alcoholic alkali metal alkoxide solutions is provided, in which mercury is depleted in a first filtration through inert fibrous material, followed by a second filtration through pulverized coal, and then by concentration by distillation, to preferably provide a mercury content below 0.1 ppm.

Abstract: A method for improving the heap biooxidation rate of refractory sulfide ore particles that are at least partially biooxidized using a recycled bioleachate off solution is provided.

Abstract: Method for recovering etchant from etching waste liquid 11 containing iron chloride is disclosed, wherein iron powder is mixed with iron chloride waste solution containing metal ions having a lesser ionization tendency than iron ion in an mixing vessel so as to cause a reaction between the iron powder and the metal ions and remove the precipitated metal from the iron chloride waste solution.

Abstract: A method for utilization of zinc byproducts in the manufacture of clear brine fluids comprising the step of mixing zinc feedstock containing metal impurities with a halogenic acid to produce an impure zinc halide solution. The metal impurities are removed from the zinc halide solution in a two-stage process: the first stage comprises the steps of precipitating and filtering out manganese and iron and the second stage comprises the steps of contacting the zinc halide solution with elemental zinc to cement out the remaining metals comprising nickel, lead, cadmium, copper, mercury and cobalt. Preferably, the zinc halide solution is contacted with zinc shot in multiple passes through zinc-filled column systems. The pH is adjusted between each step, if necessary, to maintain the pH in the first stage within a range of from about 3.5 to 4.5 and the alkalinity during the second stage at less than 1.0% zinc oxide.

Abstract: The beneficiation of an electric arc furnace (EAF) dust waste stream comprising zinc compounds by collecting and combining dust from two or more EAF batches with coal fines to form briquettes, adding the briquettes to a final EAF batch with the charge, and collecting the dust from the final EAF batch, so that the zinc in the beneficiated dust is of a greater proportion than in a typical batch of EAF dust. Alternatively, the EAF dust can be split into two dust streams, one of which is returned to the EAF, while the other is treated in a hydrometallurgical process. Either waste stream preliminary can be treated by adding carbon and an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components resulting in zinc products and an optional iron-carbon feedback.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing antimony from hydrofluoric acid solutions which contain Ta/Nb and have an acidity of >18 N, by addition of a base metal reducing agent to the solution and heating at 40 to 60.degree. C. for 4 to 8 hours.

Abstract: An improved method for the recovery of metal and/or chemical values from an industrial waste stream containing zinc, cadmium, lead and/or iron compounds by heating the waste stream in a reducing atmosphere, treating the resultant fumes in an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, if necessary, to less than about 6.3, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, adjusting the pH of the solution to about 6.5 to about 7.0, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components, as necessary, resulting in the zinc products and the optional iron-carbon feedstock.

Abstract: A method for producing direct reduced iron or/and pig iron from an industrial waste materials stream such as EAF and blast furnace dust generally comprising the steps of separating the materials contained in the waste materials stream by magnetic separation or flotation, briquetting the iron-containing materials separated during the separation process with carbon, and providing the briquettes to a reduction furnace or/and to a small scale blast furnace or cupola furnace to produce direct reduced iron or/and pig iron, respectively. The exhaust streams from the process are further treated to recover chemical values and to allow the recycle of the exhaust streams to the main process.

Abstract: A method for the production of Group IA salts during a process for the recycling of industrial waste streams containing Group IA compounds and iron and/or zinc compounds, by heating the waste stream in a reducing atmosphere, treating the exhaust fumes from the heating step with an ammonium chloride leaching solution resulting in a Group IA salt containing precipitate, and recovering the Group IA salts from the precipitate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the hydrometallurgical separation and recovery of biological nutrients, cadmium, lead, and gypsum from raw materials such as electric arc furnace flue dust. Biological nutrients, including zinc and iron, are selectively separated and recovered from raw materials, including metals and metal oxides, and are selectively and variably recombined, to achieve a biological nutrient product which a desired relative concentration of zinc and iron. The process is a closed system generating no solid waste, no liquid water or acid waste streams, and whereby gypsum, and substantially all hazardous wastes such as lead and cadmium, are separated and recovered from raw material for sale as commercial products.

Abstract: A method for improving the heap biooxidation rate of refractory sulfide ore particles that are at least partially biooxidized using a recycled bioleachate off solution is provided.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of high purity zinc oxide products, and optionally iron-carbon feedstocks, from industrial waste streams containing zinc oxide and/or iron. The waste streams preliminarily can be treated by adding carbon and an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components, as necessary, resulting in the zinc products and the optional iron-carbon feedbacks. Once the zinc oxide has been recovered, the purification process is used to further purify the zinc oxide to obtain zinc oxide which is at least 99.8% pure and which hsa predeterminable purity and particle characteristics.

Abstract: Electric arc furnace production of recycled steel is plagued by the formation of an iron-depleted, metal-rich electric arc flue dust (EAFD). In the present invention, we recover at least about 85 wt. % of the base metals in the EAFD (i.e., lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc) as high quality metals products without producing any solid, liquid, of gaseous wastes. We use a recyclable calcium chloride/hydrochloric acid leach mill solution to extract the base metals form the EAFD in a reactor under a controlled pH of about 2.6 at an elevated temperature and pressure in an oxygen environment wherein the solids content in the reaction slurry is about 15-30 wt. %. In this way, we place the base metals in solution while leaving the iron as a solid hematite iron complex. When separated from the metal-rich solution, the solid hematite iron complex is recycled to the electric arc furnace. The base metals are precipitated and recovered.

Abstract: A method for improving the heap biooxidation rate of refractory sulfide ore particles that are at least partially biooxidized using a recycled bioleachate off solution is provided.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of iron products, specifically direct reduced iron and iron oxide suitable for use as the feedstock for steel mills, from industrial waste streams containing iron, by treating the waste streams with an ammonium chloride leaching solution, separating the undissolved precipitates comprising iron compounds from the leachant solution, and further treating the undissolved precipitants by elevated temperature roasting, resulting in the iron feedstocks.

Abstract: A method for the removal of calcium byproducts created during the production of an iron-based feedstock suitable for use as the feedstock for steel mills, from industrial waste streams containing iron, by treating the waste stream with an ammonium chloride leaching solution, treating the leachant with a soluble ammonium salt in which the negative ion will form an insoluble compound with calcium, and separating the undissolved precipitates comprising iron compounds and calcium compounds from the leachant solution. The undissolved precipitants may be treated further by elevated temperature roasting, resulting in the iron-based feedstocks.

Abstract: A method for the production of an iron-based feedstock suitable for use as the feedstock for steel mills, from industrial waste streams containing iron, by combining an iron poor material such as exhaust fumes from metals production processes with the waste streams, treating the combined waste stream with an ammonium chloride leaching solution, separating the undissolved precipitates comprising iron compounds from the leachant solution, and further treating the undissolved precipitants by elevated temperature roasting, resulting in the iron-based feedstocks.

Abstract: A method for the production of an enriched iron product, specifically direct reduced iron and iron oxide suitable for use as the feedstock for steel mills, from industrial waste streams containing iron, by combining an iron oxide rich material such as mill scale and/or used batteries with the waste streams, treating the combined waste stream with an ammonium chloride leaching solution, separating the undissolved precipitates comprising iron compounds from the leachant solution, and further treating the undissolved precipitants by elevated temperature roasting, resulting in the iron feedstocks.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of zinc products, including zinc oxide and elemental zinc, and optionally iron-carbon feedstocks, from industrial waste streams containing zinc and iron, by treating the waste streams with carbon and an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, displacing undesired metal ions from the solution using zinc metal, treating the solution to remove therefrom zinc compounds, and further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components, as necessary, resulting in the zinc products and the optional iron-carbon feedbacks.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of metals including zinc, zinc oxide, iron-carbon feedstocks, lead and cadmium from industrial waste streams which entails treating the waste streams with carbon and an ammonium chloride solution, separating any undissolved components from the solution, displacing metal ions including lead and cadmium from the solution using zinc metal, further treating the solution to remove zinc compounds therefrom, further treating the zinc compounds and the undissolved components with a dissolving solution, and further treating the displaced metal ions to recover lead, cadmium and zinc therein using various methods including electrolysis.

Abstract: A method for the reclamation of zinc, lead, tin, cadmium and copper from dust containing such elements or compounds which involves leaching the dust with sulfuric acid or ammonium bisulfate, neutralization the leachate with zinc oxide or zinc hydroxide, and cementing and/or roasting various intermediate and final products for the reclamation of the above metals. The method is especially designed for reclaiming the above metals from waste streams from production processes for electrical conductors. The method is a continuous process with the recirculation of various solutions remaining after the completion of each step.

Abstract: A method for eliminating mercury from mercury containing liquids by contacting the mercury-containing liquid with a plurality of fibers wherein the fibers making up the plurality of fibers have a coating of silver on the surface of the fibers, and a silver-coated fiber for use in the method are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recovering a metal from a metal ore or waste metal-containing material comprises contacting the ore or waste material with an acidic leaching solution effective for leaching and forming a pregnant solution of at least one metal to be recovered, and contacting the pregnant solution with a steel substrate so as to cement the at least one metal and from which one can recover the metal. The method is particularly suited to the recovery of precious metals such as gold. The steel substrate can be particulate, such as steel shavings, so that the steel substrate is used in a form which results in a high surface area to volume ratio of steel.

Abstract: An antimony recovery process is disclosed in which antimony-containing material is leached in a solvent including elemental sulfur and a caustic to preferentially leach antimony. The antimony-containing leach liquor from the leaching step is separated from the insoluble residue by filtration, and the antimony compounds in the separated leach liquor are crystallized to separate the antimony compounds from impurities which are left in solution in the leach liquor. The crystals are then redissolved and treated to create marketable antimony products of high purity, such as antimony metal, sodium hydroxy antimonate, sodium antimonate, antimony pentoxide, and antimony pentasulfide. Alternatively, the crystallized antimony compounds comprising primarily sodium thioantimonate crystals may be recovered and sold without further treatment. Waste products may be treated with soluble iron compounds and lime to render the waste products safe for disposal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the recovery of a noble metal from an inorganic and/or organic residue in the form of a tellurium/noble metal precipitate characterised by adding a solvent having a boiling point above 120.degree. C. to the residue, removing by distillation water and other residual solvents having boiling points below the boiling point of the added solvent, adding the tellurium or reducible tellurium compound, and then refluxing at atmospheric pressure before separating the tellurium/noble metal precipitate. The process of the present invention also allows the simultaneous recovery of the tertiary phosphine as its oxide from a residue containing a tertiary phosphine by the further stages of concentrating the mother-liquors remaining after separation of the tellurium/noble metal precipitate, recovering the added high boiling point solvent and isolating the tertiary phosphine in the form of its oxide by precipitation with water.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions containing metal cations, that may include cations of both desired metal and impurity or secondary metal, are treated with an organic liquid extractant suitable for the extraction of cations of the desired metal, cations of at least one secondary metal being co-extracted. After phase disengagement, the loaded organic phase containing cations of either a desired metal or desired metal together with at least one secondary metal is contacted with a solid metal or solid metal alloy capable of reducing in the organic phase cations of either a desired metal or a secondary metal from a higher to a lower state of oxidation. Depending on the extracted metal(s) and the added solid metal or alloy, cations of the at least one extracted metal are reduced to the lower state of oxidation and either are deposited (cemented) in the metallic state onto the solid metal or alloy, or are partially reduced in the organic phase to a lower oxidation state with the solid metal or alloy being oxidized in part.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of zinc oxide from industrial waste materials of various components, including zinc, lead, iron and cadmium, comprising the steps of treating the waste material with an ammonium chloride solution maintained at an elevated temperature, separating the undissolved components from the solution, treating the solution with zinc metal to displace undesired metal ions from the solution, cooling the solution to precipitate therefrom zinc compounds, washing the precipitated zinc compounds to remove unwanted compounds such as diamino zinc dichloride, and drying the remaining zinc compound which is essentially hydrated zinc oxide, resulting in essentially pure zinc oxide.

Abstract: A reactor for recovering metals such as copper, tin and lead from concentrated, acidic aqueous solutions includes a reaction vessel retaining a bed of scrap aluminum in a packed bed above the bottom of the vessel; a plenum below the packed bed of scrap aluminum, and a filter situated within the plenum, including a first perforated pipe enclosing a coaxial second perforated pipe, through which liquid can be filtered and withdrawn for recirculation into the reactor above the packed bed of scrap aluminum. Metal recovery is effected by reduction of metal ions in solution and precipitation onto the scrap aluminum. Multiple reactor systems including equipment required for pH adjustment of the wastewater also may be used.

Abstract: The process for the electrochemical separation of metal mixtures and metal alloys comprises the steps of dissolving the starting material in an elecrolyte, substituting the metals dissolved in the electrolytic solution in succession in accordance with their electrochemical potential by electrochemically less noble metals in each case and depositing them. The electrolytic solution containing the dissolved metals is passed continuously through several cells, connected to each other, in which the electrolytic solution is brought into contact with said less noble metals. Several of the metals dissolved can be substituted simultaneously by one or more electrochemically less noble metals. Metals that are deposited simultaneously together are separated electrolytically from each other, and metals which have again gone into solution are again substituted outside the electrolysis cells by said less noble metals and deposited.