Segmented Ion-Permeable Screen for Copper Electrodeposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrolytic extraction facilities for non-ferrous metals, dendritic formations often lead to short circuits between electrodes, causing damage to anodes, reducing metal quality and quantity, and increasing maintenance costs, as existing solutions like permeable materials and conductive screens are ineffective in delaying dendrite growth sufficiently.
Innovation Solution
An ion-permeable screen with electrically non-conducting material and spaced-out electrically conducting segments is used, which slows down dendrite growth by at least 12 hours, breaking them into smaller secondary formations that cause minimal damage, and maintains electrode functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permeable material or conductive screen is used to block dendrites, then dendrite growth is slowed, but the screen is coated with metal that detaches as fragments causing further short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is divided into multiple isolated conducting segments spaced apart from each other, rather than forming a continuous conductive layer. This segmentation prevents continuous metal deposition and detachment while maintaining localized dendrite blocking capability at each segment position.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the screen have different properties: the non-conducting material provides structural support and ion permeability, while the isolated conducting segments provide localized dendrite blocking. This local differentiation prevents uniform metal coating across the entire screen surface.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a conductive screen is used to protect the anode, then dendrite growth is slowed for 8-10 hours, but damage to the anode occurs due to high current transport through the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The conducting segments are isolated and spaced apart, which limits the current path through the screen. This segmentation reduces the total current transport through any single point on the screen, thereby reducing anode damage while maintaining dendrite blocking capability for extended periods.
3Loss of time
If operators are not present during night-time shifts, then maintenance actions are delayed, but dendrite short circuits occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is pre-configured with isolated conducting segments that passively block dendrite growth before short circuits occur. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for continuous operator presence, allowing delayed maintenance responses without increasing short circuit frequency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively delays dendrite growth, reducing the frequency and urgency of maintenance actions, minimizing anode damage, and maintaining production quality and quantity by breaking dendrites into smaller formations that do not significantly impact electrode operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ion-permeable screen located parallel to the said electrode, where the said screen comprises at least one structure of electrically non-conducting material provided with a plurality of electrically conducting materials spaced apart from each other
Implementation Method 2
the metal is deposited as the electrical current passes through the cathode of each unit cell
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
This invention relates to electrodic apparatus suitable for the electrodeposition of nonferrous metals, for example for the electrolytic production of copper and other nonferrous metals from solutions of ions, comprising an electrode and at least one ionpermeable screen intended for protection of the said electrode.