Decopperization process of waste solutions from conventional copper electrolysis

Abstract

This paper is adresses on treatment of sulphuric acid waste solutions obtained during the conventional copper metallurgical activities. Mother liquor is a part of this solutions and it is generated during the regeneration process of copper bleed solution. Copper, nickel and sulphuric acid are the main components and the other registered impurities are: As, Se, Fe, Sb, Zn, Bi, Pb, Cl ions. Aim to copper removing from the mother liquor, the decopperization process on the industrial scale equipment, is investigated. Investigation was done using the rectangular insoluble lead anodes alloyed with 6 wt.% of antimony at current value of 13 000 A, identical to the current in a commercial copper refinery plant. A few parameters as so as: current, cell voltage, electrolyte temperature, electrolyte flow rate, level of electrolyte, were monitored during the test. Comparing the values of copper content in the solution before and after the decopperization of copper, it was found that it decreased of about 80 wt. % of the initial value. Chemical characterization of the sludge obtained on cathode has shown that it is a material with copper content of about 90 wt. %.