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- Title
Parametric study of copper electrowinning using a pulsed-bed electrode reactor.
- Authors
Britto‐Costa, Pedro H.; Ruotolo, Luís A. M.
- Abstract
BACKGROUND The pulsed bed electrode (PBE) has been used successfully for copper electrodeposition from highly concentrated acidic electrolytes. Advantages of this electrode include high space-time yield ( Y) and simple operation and maintenance. In this work, the effects of operational conditions were investigated in an attempt to achieve current efficiencies ( CE) higher than 76.7%, which was the maximum value obtained in a previous study. RESULTS The results showed that use of a high current density and low acid concentration provided the best operational conditions for maximizing CE and Y, and minimizing the energy consumption ( EC). Nonetheless, the highest current density was limited to 3000 A cm-2 and the lowest acid concentration was limited to 110 g L-1, due to limitations such as metal dissolution, dendrite growth, and short circuiting. The highest CE achieved was 77.7%, using 2838 A m-2. According to a statistical model, the maximum CE value that could be achieved is 82.4%, with application of 3000 A cm-2. This suggests that further improvement of CE would lead to values of EC lower than those found in electrowinning plants. CONCLUSIONS Electrowinning using a pulsed-bed electrode is an excellent method for copper production, but additional improvements are required to increase CE. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
- Subjects
POROUS electrodes; ELECTROWINNING; METAL refining; ELECTROFORMING; ELECTROCHEMISTRY
- Publication
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 2015, Vol 90, Issue 9, p1646
- ISSN
0268-2575
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/jctb.4472