Rotowinner

Industrial electrowinning is one such example where archaic technology has become the norm, with innovation being limited simply because the process is “good enough”. After doing a fundamental analysis on the electrowinning process, the design team has invented a dynamic solution which improves on existing electrowinning processes with respect to usability, footprint, civil investment requirement, fluid dynamics, current distribution, production throughput, production efficiency and operator safety.

The Rotowinner makes use of a single moving part, a rotating cathode surface where the metal is plated on continuously and then removed by means of a scraper. The metal is then collected as a ribbon, flake or a powder for downstream processing. The metal produced by electrolysis (i.e. electrowinning) is continuously collected. The whole process is described in a provisional patent: P71891PC00. Further safety features include the option to fully enclose the device with a cover preventing the release of acid mists. Fresh electrolyte, rich in valuable metallic ions is pumped through the machine on a continuous basis ensuring improved mass transfer and continued replenishment of ions that have been taken out of the solution at the relevant electron

This novel technology addresses as many of the problems associated with traditional electrowinning as possible, without compromising on the robust design principles that the current designs are known for. The technology has been dubbed the "Rotowinner" due to the rotational nature employed by this novel electrowinning technology