Operation of an industrial pilot plant for copper electrorefining with the ‘support-anode’ system

Abstract

The authors have developed a system of refining copper scrap that has some advantages over conventional processes. Scrap copper originates in remnants or trimmings from objects manufactured with the metal (wire, tubes, sheets, etc.). Traditionally, scrap refining is conducted via successive pyrometallurgical and electrochemical processes. The scrap is subjected to smelting and to a pyrometallurgical refining treatment in furnaces of various types in several stages to produce cast copper anodes. The anodes of the metal are finally refined by means of the classic process of electrolytic refining, resulting in the production of high-purity cathodes.