Efficient continuous process for pollution-free recovery of precious metals by a dielectrophoresis method

Abstract

This invention relates to an efficient continuous process for pollution-free recovery of precious metals by a dielectrophoresis method, which comprises the following steps of: (1) mixing materials in a mixing box; (2) separating in a dielectrophoresis separation chamber; (3) collecting in a collector, wherein the lower end of the dielectrophoresis separation chamber is coaxially provided with the collector; a funnel is arranged corresponding to the lower end of insulated wire electrode in the collector; the funnel outputs precious metals through an output pipe; the bottom of the collector is provided with a loop exit which allows separated suspension to enter the next dielectrophoresis separation chamber for circulating re-separation. Based on the special high selectivity and high controllability of the dielectrophoresis principle in physical chemistry, unseparated precious metal particles in precious metal wastes are captured so as to realize maximum recovery and minimize the degree of contamination that may be caused by precious metals; therefore, the efficient continuous process of the invention is a new environmentally-friendly efficient continuous process for separating and recovering precious metals from tailings and waste, is energy-saving and contributes to the further separation of precious metal lean ores and tailings in China.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the field of chemical technology and separation technology, and relates to the separation and extraction of precious metal minerals such as gold, in particular to a high-efficiency continuous process for recovering precious metals without pollution by dielectrophoresis. Background technique [0002] Precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, etc., often remain in the tailings or garbage (such as electronic waste) in the form of tiny (diameter micron or less than micron) particles in a free state, and their concentration is very low (often less than a few hundred milligrams per t), and exist as ultra-thin flakes with non-uniform geometry and unequal size distribution. This specific existence mode cannot be effectively separated by conventional separation methods. If the separation method of the original (rich) ore is used to extract the precious metals remaining in the tailings, due to the low particle concentration, the r...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0002] Precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, etc., often remain in the tailings or garbage (such as electronic waste) in the form of tiny (diameter micron or less than micron) particles in a free state, and their concentration is very low (often less than a few hundred milligrams per tons), and exist as ultra-thin flakes with uneven geometry and unequal size distribution, this specific existence cannot be effectively separated by conventional separation methods

If the separation method of the original (rich) ore is used to extract the precious metals remaining in the tailings, because the particle concentration is too low, the required investment is large, the separation efficiency is low, and the environmental pollution is serious.

Similarly, when dealing with precious metal particles contained in garbage, the chemical method commonly used in raw ore separation technology, due to the chemical reaction of chemical reagents to plastics, not only cannot separate precious metals, but also causes very bad environmental pollution

Conventional physical separation methods cannot separate such fine and ultra-thin precious metal particles

In addition, the magnetization method has also been proposed for the separation of precious metals, but its separation efficiency is too low and the degree of industrial automation is low.

[0003] Through the patent search, no reports on the recovery of precious metals using the principle of dielectrophoresis have been found

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