METHOD OF ELECTROCHEMICAL EXTRACTION OF SILVER FROM SILVER-BEARING CURRENT-CONDUCTING WASTES Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC C22B11/00 C22B7/00 C25C1/20 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to hydrometallurgy of noble metals, particularly, to extraction of silver from silver-bearing wastes and may be used in processing various complex metal stock (radio electronic and computer hardware scrap, etc). Proposed method comprises anodic dissolution of silver in water solution of complexing agent in controlled potential electrolysis with anode from initial stock and insoluble cathode. Sodium sulphate with concentration of 12-370 g/l is used as complexing agent. Anodic dissolution is performed at 18-50°C and anode potential of 0.40…0.74 V relative to normal hydrogen electrode. Note here that the process proceeds in closed-volume non-aggressive alkalescent medium.

EFFECT: selective extraction of silver, higher rate of silver dissolution, ruled out use of toxic substances.

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