Mesh applications in Electrowinning and fuel cells

Wire mesh is a porous media that is used in electrowinning cells. It can be installed in new or existing electrowinning cells. They can be fabricated to fit the cathodes. They can be reused by nominally washing off the precious metal while on the cathode. Specialists in the high performance metals describe the benefits of stainless steel mesh:

a.       Extensive reduction in slag: Decreased slag loss, enhanced metal recovery and smaller melting furnace needed.

b.      Durable mesh offers long service life

c.       Flux costs decreased

d.      Furnace liner life increased

e.      Extensive labor savings: The cathode is easy to install and installed once over the life of the mesh and does not need drying or meltdown

f.        Size stability: Prevents sag even after prolong use

g.       Stable wire size: Offers outstanding solution flow over large surface areas

h.      Prevents wire in bottom of cell

i.       

      Clean handling – user performance – No steel wool type and doesn’t harm the environment

Saves on labor and longer lasting. Durable mesh cathode wire size permits better wash results and prevents loose wire in the bottom of the cell. Cleaner handling with operator performance. More stable dimension.

The recycling of used fuel is a major problem for the sustainable use of nuclear energy. Pyroprocessing technology has attracted wide interest in terms of recycling of used oxide fuels from nuclear power plants and using them as fuels for fast reactors. By the integrated unit processes of pyroprocessing, the used oxide fuel is electrolytic reduction and electrorefining.

In the oxide reduction process as a front end process of pyrprocessing, the used oxide fuel contained in a permeable cathode basket is electrochemically reduced to metal in molten Li2O-LiCl salt at 650oC.

Usually stainless steel mesh is used as permeable basket containing fuel in oxide reduction and electro-refining process. The reduction product received after the oxide reduction is used as an anode in the ER process by loading it in a mesh basket. The separation of the reduction product from the oxide reduction cathode basket is needed. Although, it is difficult to separate the reduction product received after the oxide reduction from the stainless steel wire mesh cathode basket at ambient temperature without damaging or deforming the basket as the residual salt in the basket is frozen. It should be noted that the surfaces of the cathode basket including the walls of the side and the bottom made of permeable stainless steel wire meshes, except the welds for suitable salt draining after the oxide reduction. It was developed by sintering multiple layers into a single piece.

At the center of the cathode basket, the electrical conductor was brought into contact with the simfuel at the center of the basket. The anode assembly comprises of platinum connected to electrical conductor and the metal shroud. An anode shroud comprised of a lower porous shroud made of the same material.