Process Optimization in Copper Electrorefining
Abstract
enCopper is one of the major metallic materials together with steel and aluminum. At present, approx. 11 Mt of copper are produced all over the world by electrorefining in sulfuric acid electrolytes. In the last years the current density could be increased to 320–340 A/m2 by simultaneous improvement of the cathode quality, although the parameters “electrolyte” and “anode quality” did not change essentially. This was possible substantially by modifying the cell design, the starter sheets and the optimization of inhibitors and flow control at the electrodes. Further possibilities to optimize this process are described in this paper.
Number of times cited: 7
- Yu-Juan Li, Xiao-Tao Luo, Haroon Rashid and Chang-Jiu Li, A new approach to prepare fully dense Cu with high conductivities and anti-corrosion performance by cold spray, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 740, (406), (2018).
- Weizhi Zeng, Shijie Wang, Michael L. Free, Chong-Jian Tang, Ruiyang Xiao and Yanjie Liang, Design and Modeling of an Innovative Copper Electrolytic Cell, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 10.1149/2.0841814jes, 165, 14, (E798-E807), (2018).
- F. Arroyo-Torralvo, A. Rodríguez-Almansa, I. Ruiz, I. González, G. Ríos, C. Fernández-Pereira and L.F. Vilches-Arenas, Optimizing operating conditions in an ion-exchange column treatment applied to the removal of Sb and Bi impurities from an electrolyte of a copper electro-refining plant, Hydrometallurgy, 171, (285), (2017).
- Weizhi Zeng, Shijie Wang and Michael L. Free, A Comparative Study of Electrolyte Flow and Slime Particle Transport in a Newly Designed Copper Electrolytic Cell and a Laboratory-Scale Conventional Electrolytic Cell, JOM, 69, 10, (1876), (2017).
- Christoph Roser, Technological Advances, “Faster, Better, Cheaper” in the History of Manufacturing, 10.1201/9781315367941-12, (193-215), (2016).
- Gaoshan Huang and Yongfeng Mei, Thinning and Shaping Solid Films into Functional and Integrative Nanomembranes, Advanced Materials, 24, 19, (2517-2546), (2012).
- H. Bombach, M. Stelter and O. Pätzold, Das Institut für NE-Metallurgie und Reinststoffe der TU Bergakademie FreibergThe institute of nonferrous metallurgy and purest materials at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte, 10.1007/BF03165339, 151, 1, (18-26), (2006).




