System for power control in cells for electrolytic recovery of a metal
a technology of power control and cell, applied in the field of electrolytic recovery of metals, can solve the problems of unfavorable production of powdery copper deposits (or copper sludge), risk of toxic arsine gas production at the cathode surface, and inability to control the state of electrolyte during the process, so as to achieve better control of electrowinning and high current densities
Inactive Publication Date: 2016-01-14
OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY
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Benefits of technology
The present invention allows for the use of high current densities in certain parts of the electrowinning or electrorefining process while using lower current densities in other parts. This reduces the risk of producing copper powder or arsine gas and allows for better control of the process at different conditions. It also provides greater efficiency and cost savings.
Problems solved by technology
In later stages of electrolytic recovery of metals in liberator cells, where copper concentration is low, if the current density is too high, the result can be the undesired production of a powdery copper deposit (or copper sludge) at the cathode.
In certain technical solutions of electrolytic recovery of metals, the state of the electrolyte inevitably changes during the process.
As the copper in the solution is depleted, the quality of the copper deposit is degraded.
It is difficult to convert electrical power from mains voltage to a dc voltage of this magnitude efficiently.
The difficulty with this arrangement is that the same current density is used in all cells.
Method used
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[0063]Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0064]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for electrolytic recovery of metals where anode and cathode busbars for two cells are connected in parallel, the anodes having individual resistors, in one embodiment of the invention.
[0065]In FIG. 2 there is a power supply 240, the negative terminal of which is connected to conductor 202 which is further connected to a cathode busbar 218 of a cell 210 and a cathode busbar 228 of cell 220. Thus, cathode busbars 218 and 228 are connected in parallel. The positive terminal of power supply 240 is connected to conductor 204, which is further connected to an anode busbar 219 of cell 210 and an anode busbar 229 of cell 220. Thus, anode busbars 219 and 229 are connected in parallel. A potential difference or voltage is applied between conductor 202 and conductor 204, such that there is a potential ...
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Abstract
Disclosed is a system for electrolytic processing or recovery of a metal from an electrolyte solution. The system may comprise electrolysis cells and a rectifier. The cells may comprise interleaved anodes and cathodes. The anodes or the cathodes of a first cell may have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a first electrical path having a first resistance. The anodes or the cathodes of a second cell may have an electrical connection to a terminal of the rectifier, respectively, via a second electrical path having a second resistance. The second resistance is configured to be higher than the first resistance. The system may further comprise a channel for electrolyte from the first cell to the second cell, the electrolyte containing the metal in a dissolved ionic form, metal concentration in the first cell being higher than in the second cell.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a national stage application filed under 35 USC 371 based on International Application No. PCT / FI2011 / 050385 filed Apr. 28, 2011, and claims priority under 35 USC 119 of Finnish Patent Application No. 20100184 filed Apr. 30, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to the electrolytic processing of metals. Examples of electrolytic recovery of metals are electrorefining and electrowinning. The invention relates particularly to control and distribution of electrical power within a single electrolytic cell or distribution of electrical power between multiple electrolytic cells.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]In electrolytic recovery of metals an electric current is passed between two electrodes immersed in an electrolyte which is a solution containing the metal in a dissolved ionic form. The electrical current causes the metal to be deposited on the cathode.[0006]Electrorefin...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): C25C7/02C25C1/12
CPCC25C1/12C25C7/02C25C7/00C25C7/06
Inventor GRANT, DUNCANBARKER, MICHAEL H.VIRTANEN, HENRY K.
Owner OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY