System for efficiently removing impurities in copper electrolyte to improve copper purity
By integrating a pulse commutation power supply, impurity remover, precision filter box, and defoamer, the system solves the problem of impurity removal in electrolyte, improves the purity of high-purity copper and the recycling efficiency of electrolyte, and reduces production costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KUNMING METALLURGY INST
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
In the process of preparing high-purity copper, the existing electrolysis method is difficult to effectively remove positively charged impurities such as Ag and Te, as well as microbubbles and organic matter in the electrolyte, which leads to a decrease in the purity of cathode copper, affecting product quality and production costs, and the electrolyte recycling efficiency is low.
The system employs an integrated pulse commutation power supply, impurity remover, precision filter box, defoamer, and heat exchanger. The pulse commutation power supply deeply desorbs microbubbles, the impurity remover removes positively charged impurities, the precision filter box filters out tiny particles, and the defoamer eliminates bubbles, thus achieving a closed-loop circulation of the electrolyte.
It significantly improves the purity and crystal quality of high-purity copper in the cathode, reduces the content of gaseous impurity elements, enhances the recycling efficiency of the electrolyte, and reduces production costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224160714U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of copper electrolytic refining technology, specifically relating to a system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to improve copper purity. Background Technology
[0002] Electrolysis is a widely used technique in the industrial production of high-purity copper (such as Grade A high-purity copper, HPCu-5N, HPCu-6N, HPCu-6N5, HPCu-7N, etc.). This process involves electrochemical reactions during electrolysis, causing copper ions to be reduced and deposited on the cathode, thus forming high-purity copper. However, the electrolytic refining process often faces a series of challenges when preparing high-purity cathode copper containing only trace impurities.
[0003] Impurities such as Ag and Te, commonly found in anode copper, can enter the electrolyte during electrolysis. Because these impurities have a more positive electrode potential than copper, they readily deposit at the cathode, co-depositing with copper. While existing electrolysis processes can maintain some effectiveness when dealing with low concentrations of impurities, when the concentration of Ag and Te ions in the electrolyte is high, the impurity content in the cathode copper often exceeds the standard, leading to a significant decrease in product yield. This not only increases production costs but also limits the application of high-purity copper in high-end electronics, new energy, and other fields. Therefore, the co-deposition of positively charged impurities with copper has always been a key bottleneck affecting the quality of high-purity copper products.
[0004] In addition, other factors affecting purity exist during the preparation of high-purity copper using the copper nitrate electrolysis method. During electrolysis, nitric acid discharges at the cathode, releasing NO2 microbubbles. Simultaneously, hydrogen peroxide, added as an oxidant to replenish the nitric acid, spontaneously decomposes, releasing O2 microbubbles. Furthermore, gelatin, a commonly used electrolytic additive, degrades during long-term electrolysis, producing organic compounds such as lactic acid and acetic acid. These NO2, O2 microbubbles and organic impurities adsorb onto the cathode copper, resulting in less dense cathode copper crystals, reduced chemical purity, and increased content of gaseous impurities such as N, C, and O in the high-purity cathode copper.
[0005] To address these issues, researchers both domestically and internationally have developed a series of utility model patents, primarily focusing on optimizing the structure of electrolytic cells. These patents offer various solutions to address the problems of excessive impurities and improved copper purity by improving electrolytic cell design, introducing electrolyte purification systems, and optimizing new electrolysis technologies and process parameters. However, existing technologies still have shortcomings. On the one hand, NO2 and O2 microbubbles generated in the electrolyte, as well as organic degradation products, are difficult to remove effectively using traditional methods, limiting further improvements in cathode copper purity. On the other hand, the lack of efficient and stable gas desorption and impurity removal devices in the electrolysis system results in low electrolyte recycling efficiency and increased production costs.
[0006] In view of the shortcomings in the aforementioned background technology, this utility model proposes an innovative electrolytic impurity removal system—"a system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to improve copper purity." This system mainly achieves efficient removal of positively charged impurities Ag and Te, as well as microbubbles and organic impurities from the electrolyte by integrating a pulse commutation power supply, an impurity remover, a precision filter box, and a defoamer, thereby significantly improving the purity of the high-purity copper at the cathode. Utility Model Content
[0007] This invention provides a system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to improve copper purity, thereby solving the problems existing in the background art.
[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:
[0009] A system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to improve copper purity includes an electrolytic cell, an impurity remover, a filter box, a heat exchanger, and a high-level tank. Conductive copper busbars are evenly distributed within the electrolytic cell. The outlet of the electrolytic cell is connected to the inlet of the impurity remover via a pipeline in an overflow manner. The outlet of the impurity remover is connected to the inlet of the filter box via a pipeline. A circulation pump I is installed on the pipeline between the impurity remover and the filter box. The outlet of the filter box is connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger via a pipeline. A circulation pump II is installed on the pipeline between the filter box and the heat exchanger. The outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the high-level tank via a pipeline. A circulation pump III is installed on the pipeline between the heat exchanger and the high-level tank. The high-level tank is connected to the inlet of the electrolytic cell via an overflow manner.
[0010] Preferably, a defoamer is provided between the filter box and the heat exchanger, the outlet of the filter box and the inlet of the defoamer are connected by a pipe, the circulating pump II is located on the pipe between the filter box and the defoamer, the outlet of the defoamer is connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger by a pipe, and a circulating pump IV is provided on the pipe between the defoamer and the heat exchanger.
[0011] Preferably, a power source is provided on one side of the electrolytic cell, and the power source is connected to the conductive copper busbar.
[0012] Preferably, the power supply is a pulse-commutated power supply.
[0013] Preferably, the impurity remover is a gas-liquid mixing reactor with mechanical stirring.
[0014] Preferably, the filter box is a precision filter box.
[0015] Preferably, the filtration accuracy of the precision filter box is 0.5μm~20μm.
[0016] Preferably, the filtration accuracy of the precision filter box is 0.5μm to 5μm.
[0017] Preferably, the defoamer is an atmospheric pressure packed tower, and the tower column is filled with wire mesh packing.
[0018] Preferably, the wire mesh filler is composed of any one or any combination of polystyrene, nylon, polyimide, and polyacrylamide.
[0019] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0020] (1) This utility model integrates a pulse commutation power supply, a purifier, a precision filter box, a defoamer, and an electrolyte circulation system composed of a circulating pump. Through the online deep desorption function of the pulse commutation power supply, microbubbles adsorbed on the high-purity copper cathode in the high-purity copper electrolyte are effectively removed, avoiding the entrainment of gelatin degradation products in the high-purity copper cathode. The purifier effectively removes Ag and Te ions, which are more positively charged than copper, from the electrolyte, inhibiting the co-deposition of these positively charged impurities with copper at the cathode. At the same time, the precision filter box can reduce the amount of anode mud impurities adhering to the copper cathode, resulting in a dense, bright, low-porosity, and low-nodulation high-purity copper cathode with high chemical purity. The defoamer can eliminate the bubbles generated during the purifier removal process. Through the circulation system composed of the circulating pump, the overall circulation of the electrolyte is realized, reducing the accumulation of impurities, improving the recycling efficiency of the electrolyte, and significantly improving the purity and crystal quality of electrolytic high-purity copper.
[0021] (2) By setting up a heat exchanger, the electrolyte in the circulation system is kept in a suitable electrolysis temperature range for electrolysis reaction, thereby improving electrolysis efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model. Figure 1 ;
[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model. Figure 2 ;
[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the wire mesh filler structure of this utility model.
[0025] In the diagram, 1-electrolytic cell, 2-impurity remover, 3-filter box, 4-heat exchanger, 5-high-level tank, 6-conductive copper busbar, 7-electrolytic cell outlet, 8-impurity remover inlet, 9-impurity remover outlet, 10-filter box inlet, 11-circulating pump I, 12-filter box outlet, 13-heat exchanger inlet, 14-circulating pump II, 15-heat exchanger outlet, 16-high-level tank inlet, 17-defoamer, 18-defoamer inlet, 19-defoamer outlet, 20-circulating pump IV, 21-power supply, 22-wire mesh packing, 23-circulating pump III, 24-electrolytic cell inlet. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these descriptions are for the purpose of aiding understanding of this utility model, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0027] Example 1
[0028] A system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to improve copper purity, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1-3 As shown, the system includes an electrolytic cell 1, a separator 2, a filter box 3, a defoamer 17, a heat exchanger 4, and a high-level tank 5. Conductive copper busbars 6 are evenly distributed within the electrolytic cell 1, and each busbar 6 is connected to a power supply 21, which is a pulse-commutated power supply. The electrolytic cell outlet 7 is connected to the separator inlet 8 via a pipe in an overflow manner. The separator outlet 9 is connected to the filter box inlet 10 via a pipe through a circulation pump I 11. The filter box outlet 12 is connected to the defoamer inlet 18 via a pipe through a circulation pump II 14. The defoamer outlet 19 is connected to the heat exchanger inlet 13 via a pipe through a circulation pump IV 20. The heat exchanger outlet 15 is connected to the high-level tank inlet 16 via a pipe through a circulation pump III 23. The high-level tank 5 is connected to the electrolytic cell inlet 24 via an overflow manner.
[0029] Specifically, the impurity remover 2 is a gas-liquid mixing reactor with mechanical stirring, which specifically introduces hydrogen microbubbles into the electrolyte while stirring to reduce and remove impurity metal ions Ag and Te.
[0030] Specifically, the filter box 3 is a precision filter box with a filtration accuracy of 0.5μm to 20μm.
[0031] Specifically, the defoamer 17 is an atmospheric pressure packed tower, and the tower column is filled with wire mesh packing 22. The wire mesh packing 22 is composed of any one or any combination of polystyrene, nylon, polyimide and polyacrylamide.
[0032] Example 2
[0033] As attached Figure 3 As shown, as a further improvement to Embodiment 1, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the filtration accuracy of the precision filter box is 0.5μm~5μm.
[0034] Work process
[0035] As attached Figure 1 As shown, firstly, the output terminal of the pulse commutation power supply is connected to the conductive copper busbar 6 of the electrolytic cell 1. The outlet 7 of the electrolytic cell is connected to the inlet 8 of the impurity remover via a pipeline in an overflow manner. The outlet 9 of the impurity remover is connected to the inlet 10 of the filter box via a pipeline through circulation pump I 11. The outlet 12 of the filter box is connected to the inlet 18 of the defoamer via circulation pump II 14 via a pipeline. The outlet 19 of the defoamer is connected to the inlet 13 of the heat exchanger via circulation pump IV 20 via a pipeline. Next, the heat exchanger outlet 15 is connected to the high-level tank inlet 16 via a pipeline through the circulation pump Ⅲ23, and the high-level tank 5 is connected to the electrolytic cell inlet 24 via overflow. The electrolyte first reacts in the electrolytic cell 1, and under the action of the pulse commutation power supply, the microbubbles adsorbed on the high-purity copper cathode are effectively removed, and the electrolyte overflows from the electrolytic cell 1 to the impurity remover 2. The impurity remover 2 is a gas-liquid mixing reactor with mechanical stirring, specifically, hydrogen micro-gas is introduced through external equipment while stirring. The electrolyte is defoamed to remove impurity metal ions Ag and Te. After defoaming, the electrolyte is pumped into a precision filter by circulation pump I11. The precision filter can filter out tiny particulate impurities in the electrolyte and reduce anode mud impurities adhering to the cathode copper. Then, the electrolyte in the precision filter is pumped into defoamer 17 by circulation pump II14. Defoamer 17 is filled with wire mesh packing 22. Fine hydrogen bubbles in the electrolyte can be efficiently captured on the surface of wire mesh packing 22 and grow until defoaming, which can prevent hydrogen microbubbles from contaminating the purity of the cathode copper in electrolytic cell 1. Then, the defoamed electrolyte is transported to heat exchanger 4 by circulation pump IV20. Heat exchanger 4 adjusts the electrolyte temperature to a suitable temperature range for electrolysis. Finally, the electrolyte after heat exchange flows into high-level tank 5 by circulation pump III23. The electrolyte in high-level tank 5 returns to electrolytic cell 1 by overflow, forming a closed-loop circulation of electrolyte to ensure stable operation of the entire system.
Claims
1. A system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper, characterized by, The system includes an electrolytic cell (1), a separator (2), a filter box (3), a heat exchanger (4), and a high-level tank (5). Conductive copper busbars (6) are evenly distributed within the electrolytic cell (1). The electrolytic cell outlet (7) is connected to the separator inlet (8) via a pipe in an overflow manner. The separator outlet (9) is connected to the filter box inlet (10) via a pipe. A circulation pump I (11) is installed on the pipe between the separator (2) and the filter box (3). The filter box outlet (12) and the heat exchanger inlet (13) are connected by a pipe. A circulation pump II (14) is installed on the pipe between the filter box (3) and the heat exchanger (4). The heat exchanger outlet (15) and the high-level tank inlet (16) are connected by a pipe. A circulation pump III (23) is installed on the pipe between the heat exchanger (4) and the high-level tank (5). The high-level tank (5) is connected to the electrolytic cell inlet (24) in an overflow manner.
2. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 1, wherein, A defoamer (17) is provided between the filter box (3) and the heat exchanger (4). The outlet (12) of the filter box and the inlet (18) of the defoamer are connected by a pipe. The circulating pump II (14) is located on the pipe between the filter box (3) and the defoamer (17). The outlet (19) of the defoamer is connected to the inlet (13) of the heat exchanger by a pipe. A circulating pump IV (20) is provided on the pipe between the defoamer (17) and the heat exchanger (4).
3. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 1, wherein, A power supply (21) is provided on one side of the electrolytic cell (1), and the power supply (21) is connected to the conductive copper busbar (6).
4. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The power supply (21) is a pulse commutation power supply.
5. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The impurity remover (2) is a gas-liquid mixing reactor with mechanical stirring.
6. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The filter box (3) is a precision filter box.
7. The system for efficiently removing impurities from copper electrolyte to improve copper purity according to claim 6, characterized in that, The precision filter box has a filtration accuracy of 0.5μm to 20μm.
8. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The precision filter box has a filtration accuracy of 0.5μm to 5μm.
9. The system for removing impurities from copper electrolyte to increase the purity of copper as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The defoamer (17) is an atmospheric pressure packed tower.