Method and device for metal purification and separation of purified metal from a metal mother liquid such as aluminium

• Main Authors: BOENDER, WILLEM, KIEFT RENE, BEUNDER, ELISABETH MARIA, HOGENBOOM, MARCELLUS ALBERTUS, TEN CATE, ANDREAS, STORM, JOOST CHRISTIAAN, WOUTERS, HUIBRECHT ADRIAAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 31.03.2010
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; METALLURGY; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS; PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; SEPARATION; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS

A method and device for the purification and separation of purified metal from a metal mother liquid having a specific density and comprising one or more foreign element(s). The method includes: providing in a column device a starting material including metal crystals and a metal mother liquid including at least one foreign element; applying a temperature difference between a relatively hot zone at the upper end of the column and a relatively cool zone at the lower end of the column; a separation step wherein at least a part of the metal crystals is separated from the metal mother liquid by rising of the metal crystals to the upper surface of the metal mother liquid; and a further separation step wherein purified metal floating on the upper surface of the metal mother liquid is discharged from the column device.