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Electrochemical concentrating and purifying from dilute copper solutions

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Abstract

The effectiveness of a new process for recovering copper ions from dilute solutions has been tested. Porous, fixed, flow-through graphite electrodes are used in conjunction with a membrane which separates the two feed streams. The concept is demonstrated using a dilute feed of 800μ ml{−1} copper ions which is reduced to less than 1μ ml{−1}, and a concentrated stream of 0.4 M copper which is concentrated to 0.7M. The results show the concept is technically feasible and that it is competitive with existing technology for copper recovery.

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Abbreviations

a :

area per unit volume, cm−1

c o :

copper concentration of feed, mol cm−3

c b :

averaged, bulk copper concentration within porous cathode, mol cm−3

c Lb :

copper concentration in cathode effluent, mol cm−3

E 0 :

potential difference between reversible hydrogen reference electrode and reversible copper reference electrode in solution aty equal zero, V.

F :

Faraday's constant, 96487 coul/equiv

i 2 :

superficial or overall electrical current density in catholyte solution, A cm−2

i t :

total, overall current density to cathode, A cm−2

j :

transfer current density, A cm−2

k m :

mass transfer coefficient, cm s−1

L :

thickness of the cathode, cm

M:

molecular weight, g gmol−1

n :

number of electrons transferred in electrode reaction, 2

q e :

charge passed per unit volume of electrode, coul cm−3

Re :

Reynolds number, dvρμ −1

Sc :

Schmidt numberv D−1, dimensionless

t :

time to plug cathode with copper,s

v :

superficial or approach velocity of catholyte solution, cm s−1

VDP:

potential of saturated calomel reference electrode in catholyte effluent relative to the cathode, V

VA:

potential of anode relative to cathode, V

y :

distance from entrance of cathode toward cathode backing plate, cm

α :

ak m/v, cm−1

β :

nFv 2 c o /ak m K, V

ε :

void fraction, dimensionless

k :

effective or superficial electrical conductivity of catholyte, mho cm−1

μ :

viscosity of feed solution, g cm−1 s−1

v :

kinematic viscosity, cm2 s−1

ρ :

density, g cm−3

φ 1 :

potential in the matrix, V

φ 2, b :

potential plus a constant of a reversible hydrogen electrode in the solution, V

φ 2s :

potential of a reversible copper electrode adjacent to pore wall, V

δφ ohmic :

potential difference in bulk solution due to current flow, V

ψ :

particle shape factor, 0.86 for flakes, dimensionless

o:

front of the electrode

1:

solid phase

2:

solution phase

b :

bulk solution

s :

solid-solution interface

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Author notes

  1. R. S. Wenger

    Present address: Spectron Development Laboratories Inc., Costa Mesa, California

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy and Kinetics Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, California

    R. S. Wenger & D. N. Bennion

Authors
  1. R. S. Wenger
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  2. D. N. Bennion
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Wenger, R.S., Bennion, D.N. Electrochemical concentrating and purifying from dilute copper solutions. J Appl Electrochem 6, 385–396 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00616537

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00616537

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