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A pilot-scale trial of an improved galvanic deoxidation process for refining molten copper

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Abstract

A laboratory-scale galvanic deoxidation technology developed by earlier workers has been improved, with the aim of developing a prototype pilot-scale deoxidation unit. Each deoxidation cell consists of a one end-closed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) tube coated with a Ni-YSZ cermet anode on the inner walls. The YSZ tube is immersed, with its closed end in the metallic melt, and an oxygen-chemical-potential gradient across the tube is established by passing a reducing gas through the tube. The melt is then deoxidized by short circuiting it with the anode. Through laboratory experimentation, the nature of the anode/electrolyte interface adhesion was identified to be an important factor in obtaining enhanced deoxidation kinetics. The kinetics of oxygen removal from the melt was increased by an order of magnitude with an improved anode/electrolyte interface. A pilot-scale refining unit consisting of 53 cells with the improved anode/electrolyte interface was manufactured, and a field evaluation of the galvanic deoxidation of copper was conducted. The deoxidation-process model was modified to include multiple deoxidation cells, which were required for the pilot-scale trials, and to analyze the effect of electrolyte/electrode adhesion on deoxidation kinetics. Preliminary studies on process component lifetimes were conducted by investigating the thermal cycling, corrosion behavior of the electrolyte, and stability of the cermet anode structure. Based on the results of the field trial and the analyses of the process component lifetime, future work needed toward commercializing the technology is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. P. Soral (Graduate Student)

    Present address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. I2 Technologies, 75039, Irving, TX

    P. Soral (Graduate Student)

  2. the Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Boston University, 02215, Boston, MA

    U. Pal (Associate Professor)

  3. the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA

    H. R. Larson (Research Associate)

  4. the Reading Tube Corporation, 19605, Reading, PA

    B. Schroeder (Director)

Authors
  1. P. Soral
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  2. U. Pal
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  3. H. R. Larson
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  4. B. Schroeder
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Soral, P., Pal, U., Larson, H.R. et al. A pilot-scale trial of an improved galvanic deoxidation process for refining molten copper. Metall Mater Trans B 30, 307–321 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-999-0060-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-999-0060-3

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