Technology
The pulse of metal
Pulse-based electrochemistry, explained.
A selective recovery step that integrates easily, scales efficiently, and performs in real industrial settings.
How Elmery’s pulse recovers metals
Our co-founder and a professor of metallurgy Mari Lundström explains the technology behind Elmery.
Inputs
What comes in
Elmery sits on side/waste/bleed streams, process waters, and residues where valuable metals or impurities are present but hard to recover. Feeds can be steady or highly variable; both are fine as long as we agree the operating window in advance.
Chemistry contexts we commonly see
PGM circuits often run in chloride or ammonia systems; anode-slime related steps are typically sulphate or chloride; base-metal circuits are frequently sulphate or nitric. We don’t need to change your chemistry wholesale, we can tune our pulse to it.
How we scope an input
We look at the metal composition, pH, temperature, and interferents that compete with the target metal. Together we define which metals we recover and which we ignore or reduce so downstream units run more smoothly.
Pulse
What the pulse does
Unlike constant-current electrowinning, we drive the cell with a controlled pulse. By adjusting waveform, duty cycle, frequency, amplitude, and polarity, we influence nucleation and growth so the target metal is favored and unwanted co-deposition is suppressed.
Why this matters in real plants
Feeds drift. The pulse gives us another dimension of control so we can keep selectivity even when composition, temperature, or load change within agreed limits. If the feed shifts, we retune parameters rather than modify the solution.
Selective recovery
What happens in the cell
Inside the cell, the target metal(s) plate predictably on the designed surface (typically the cathode) or are otherwise collected, depending on the metal and configuration. Because the pulse is tunable, we can prioritize one metal or a small group even in mixed feeds.
Keeping it stable
We run with defined parameter windows and inline monitoring (current/voltage response, temperature, flow).
Where the product goes
Recovered metal is delivered in a controllable form for your downstream route: plate, concentrate, or another agreed format. The partially cleaned stream continues through your line with lower chemical handling and less recirculation.
Outputs
What goes out
- Captured metal with consistent quality for refining or re-use.
- A cleaner process stream with fewer additions and fewer problematic metals.
- Operational data (run logs, set-points, yields) that help decide whether to retune or scale.
What you can expect
In typical pilots we aim for repeatable recovery at the agreed range, a reduction in chemical additions, and a stable operating window that your control room can actually plan around. You can find exact figures in our tech brief and the case studies for the relevant chemistry.
How Elmery is different from other recovery technologies
| Electrowinning (EW) | Ion Exchange (IX) | Solvent extraction (SX) | Precipitation-cementation | Elmery (EDRR) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical metals recovered | Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Co, Zn | Pt, Pd, Au, REE, Sc | Cu, Co, Ni, REE | Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe | Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Cu, Au, Ag, Te, Se, As, Bi, Co, Ni, Fe |
| Recovery Rate | 95-99% requires heavy solution modification | 95-99% depending on metal | 80-90% depending on metal | 99% in simple feedstock | 99+% for targeted metals and processes |
| OpEx | Expensive electrolyte processing | Expensive resins | Medium-high | Low | Only electricity ~ 5 kWh / kg |
| Waste | Electrolyte purification / replacement | Resins burned or aggressive acid wash | Creates a lot of organic waste | Gas scrubbers needed for H2 formation | Minimal waste, no chemical addition |
| Performance in complex feedstock | Sensitive to impurities | Good, limited to high value trace recovery | Drops with high concentration | Poor selectivity, multiple steps needed | Good to excellent |
Operating window
Materials:
Wetted parts and electrodes are chosen for the stated chemistry and service life.
Flow & throughput:
Capacity increases by adding modules.
pH & temperature:
We define safe bands for each chemistry. If the feed drifts, we either hold set-points or agree a retune.
Utilities:
Electricity is the main input. Cooling or ventilation is listed if the chemistry requires it.
Footprint:
Cells come on modular skids with isolation and interlocks. They are arranged to fit your space.
Integration & scale
Installation:
The unit installs as a drop-in step.
No rip-and-replace is needed.
Placement:
Typical spots are upstream polishing or side/bleed-stream loops.
Control:
We operate within parameter windows. If the feed changes inside the window, we hold. If it drifts, we retune the pulse.
Safety & maintenance:
Standard LOTO, clear access, and scheduled wear-part service.
Scale-up:
Start with a sample and a pilot on real feed. Scale by adding banks with the same pulse logic.
Full specs on request
Sustainability
Elmery has a low-chemical approach, fewer steps and safer handling.
Elmery provides a patented recovery step
What’s under the hood
Core Technology
Architecture
At the core is an electrochemical cell designed for selective deposition. Instead of a constant current like in electrowinning, we use a controlled pulse that directs how the metal builds up on the electrode, favouring the target metal(s) even in mixed feeds.
Control & Tuning
We adjust the pulse parameters to bias the kinetics for the desired metal and suppress co-deposition. These parameters are defined as operating windows for each stream and can be re-tuned if the feed drifts within agreed limits.
Materials & Compatibility
Electrode and wetted parts are selected for the chemistry in use (e.g. chloride, ammonia, sulphate, nitric) and for service life. We provide guidance on compatibility and housekeeping to avoid corrosion or contamination issues downstream.
Operation & Stability
Monitoring & Stability
The system is quick and easy to operate and can be run by your own team. It works within defined set-points, and if the stream changes, parameter adjustments can be made to maintain stable performance over extended runs.
Integration & Safety
The unit fits as a drop-in step without modifying the full line. Because the process uses no added chemicals, operator tasks are straightforward and safety and compliance requirements are significantly reduced.
Scale-up & Outputs
Scale-Up Path
Begin with sample assessment, proceed to pilot on real feed, then scale by adding modules. The pulse logic remains the same at higher throughput. Utilities (power, cooling/ventilation if needed) and footprint are provided as range-level figures before trials.
Product & Outputs
Recovered metal is delivered in the agreed format (plated, concentrate, or other), suitable for re-use or refining. The partially cleaned stream continues forward with lower chemical load and reduced recirculation pressure.
Data & Service
Data & Interfaces
We log set-points, runs, and yields. Summaries can be exported to your log or shared during pilots for joint decision-making. This data underpins predictability and supports ROI discussions with operations and finance.
Service Model
Elmery will provide the technology as a service: we help run the pilot, maintain parameter windows, and support scale-up. This reduces upfront burden and accelerates learning on your real streams.
You gain a selective, tunable step that reduces additions and steps, keeps performance stable under day-to-day plant operation, and gives your team the data to plan production and scale with confidence.