Electrorefining of copper from a cuprous ion complexing electrolyte. II. Experimental comparison of possible alternative electrolytes and preliminary cost engineering analysis
The energy saving potential and refining capability of three copper(I)/electrolyte systems for the electrorefining of copper were compared experimentally. The alternative electrolyte systems studied were copper(I)/acid chloride, copper(I)/acetonitrile and sulfuric acid, and copper(I)/ammonia solutions. These were compared to the conventional copper(II)/sulfuric acid electrolyte. All of the alternative electrolyte systems demonstrated at least some potential for saving energy when run at an equal deposition rate to the conventional process; the chloride electrolyte showed the greatest energy saving potential, about 70%, and the ammonia electrolyte showed the least, about 25%. All of the alternative electrolyte systems, however, exhibited performance problems, primarily with regard to inadequate separation of impurities. A preliminary capital cost estimate was made for the copper(I)/chloride system. This estimate showed that, for the alternative electrolyte system to be cost competitive (that is, a reduction of capital cost of about 15 to 20%) with the conventional electrorefining process, the refining cells would have to be operated at a current density of about 25 to 30 mA-cm/sup -2/. At this current density, the estimated energy saving potential for the copper(I)/chloride system was still about 50%.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5223294
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/OEPM-80-2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COPPER
ELECTROREFINING
ENERGY CONSERVATION
CAPITALIZED COST
CHLORIDES
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ELECTROLYTES
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
METAL INDUSTRY
PRODUCTION
SPECTROSCOPY
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COST
ECONOMICS
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
LYSIS
METALS
PROCESSING
REFINING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes