Purification and/or treatment of suspensions of precious metals and/or rare earth elements comprises concentrating suspension using membrane filter, washing concentrated suspension, and removing filtrate using membrane filter

摘要

Suspensions of precious metals and/or rare earth elements are purified and/or treated by removing the liquid phase using a membrane filter to concentrate the suspension; washing the concentrated suspension with a wash liquid, and removing the filtrate using the membrane filter; and completely draining the membrane filter. Purification and/or treatment of suspensions of precious metals and/or rare earth elements, includes: (1) concentrating the suspension by removing the liquid phase using a membrane filter, where dissolved impurities and/or precious metals are discharged with filtrate; (2) washing the concentrated suspension with a wash liquid, and removing the filtrate using the membrane filter; and (3) completely draining the membrane filter to provide purified solid and/or precipitates of the precious metal(s) and/or rare earth or other elements remaining in the residual suspension, for further treatment and/or further application. An Independent claim is also included for an apparatus for the above process.