Abstract
In electrowinning and electrore fining operations, the detection of operational issues associated with electrode currents has long been a highly labour intensive reactive operations task. The Hatch HELM tracker™ system is set to change the way tankhouses are operated with its ability to measure and record the current flow of every cathode and cell voltage in real time. This information is then presented to provide the ability to identify shorts, poor contacts, and any uneven current distribution. Benefits expected include increases in current efficiency, and thus reduction in operating costs, or increases in production. The software also facilitates simple management of cathode inspection/straightening, stripping and cell cleaning cycles.
Hatch has been demonstrating the robustness and performance of the HELM tracker system at commercial copper electrowinning plants. This paper describes the development of this exciting new technology and the expected benefits to the electrowinning and electrorefining industry with specific coverage of its application to the electrowinning of nickel and cobalt.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Outotec 2007, Copper SX-EW Technology, Outotec, Finland.
MIPAC CellView, viewed 10 October 2012, http://www.mipac.com.au/CellView.htm.
P.E. Aqueveque, E.P. Wiechmann, and R.P. Burgos, “Short-Circuit Detection for Electrolytic Processes Employing Optibar Intercell Bars” (Paper presented at the Industry Applications Conference, 2007 42nd IAS Annual Meeting, 23–27 September 2007).
S. Sandoval, C. Clayton, S. Dominguez, C. Unger, and T. Robinson, “Development and Commercialization of an Alternative Anode for Copper Electrowinning” (Paper presented at Copper 2010, Hamburg, Germany, 6–10 June 2010).
P.G.S. Garritsen, D.J. MacVicar, D.P Young, and J.G. Sojda, “Process for Electrowinning Nickel or Cobalt” (US Patent Application No. 178,819,18 August 1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 TMS (The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fraser, R., Johnston, T., Yesberg, J., Nolet, S., Boon, C. (2013). Helm Tracker™ Cathode Current Sensing Technology. In: Battle, T., et al. Ni-Co 2013. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48147-0_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48147-0_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-48581-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48147-0
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)