Study of the electrowinning of copper using a fluidized-bed electrochemical reactor
A study was done on the use of a fluidized bed electrochemical reactor for the recovery of copper from aqueous solutions. Electrolyte solutions containing 0 to 8 g/l copper, 0 to 8 g/l iron and 200 g/l sulfuric acid were used. Porous diaphragms were used to separate the cathode and anode regions. The current efficiency, energy consumption rate and volumetric reaction rate were calculated for the experimental conditions. When the catholyte and anolyte are circulated from a common reservoir and iron(II) is present in the electrolyte, the energy consumption rate exhibits a minimum value of about 1.5 kWh/lb a volumetric reaction rate (VRR) of about 100 lb Cu/m/sup 3/ h. When the anolyte and catholyte are separated, the energy consumption rate rises linearly with VRR, being about 1 kWh/lb Cu at 100 lb Cu/m/sup 3/ h (this is roughly 2x the VRR of a conventional electrowinning cell). The optimum bed width in the direction of current flow was about 2 cm. A mathematical model which takes into account the dissolution of copper by ferric ion and oxygen is shown to explain the changes in the current efficiency and the VRR with current density seen in most of the experiments. Results indicate that separation of the catholyte and anolyte is imperative. Experiments showed that this can be accomplished using a porous Vycor glass diaphragm, which also eliminated the problem with copper dendrites growing through the diaphragm.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Lab., IA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-82
- OSTI ID:
- 6621168
- Report Number(s):
- IS-T-1028; ON: DE83004854
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible. Thesis
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COPPER
ELECTROMETALLURGY
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FLUIDIZED BED
MATERIALS RECOVERY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEMBRANES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
METALLURGY
METALS
MIXTURES
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
SOLUTIONS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication