Metal recovery using electrochemical cell

A method for recovery of metal from aqueous solutions is carried out using an electrochemical cell having a cathode assembly that includes a nonporous support member, a primary cathode, and a nonconductive or conductive porous material covering the primary cathode. An anode is spaced apart from the cathode assembly. Fluid is caused to flow through the porous material to the primary cathode, through openings or fluid collection channels in the nonporous support member, and uniformly out of the cell. Uniform and efficient deposition of metal is accomplished over the entire cathode assembly because of modulation of fluid flow and increased mass transfer. The rate of flow is 10-100 liters/min/m2 of primary cathode surface. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the nonporous substrate is polyvinyl chloride, the primary cathode is formed of specific steels, and the porous barrier material is formed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide or cotton. In addition there may be a porous secondary cathode in contact with the primary cathode formed of carbon felt. The support member may be composed of a ceramic, thermoplastic polymeric material or a thermoset polymeric material. The primary cathode may be formed of a cermet, ferrous metal, conductive non-ferrous metal or conductive carbon material. The porous material itself may be an outermost conductive or semi-conductive porous secondary cathode in contact with the primary cathode.