The effect of nodulation on the distribution of concentration and current density during copper electrolytic refining

Abstract

During the industrial copper electrolytic refining process, the suspended particles in the electrolyte are adsorbed on the surface of the cathode and form nodulations, leading to the disturbance of the normal state in the electrolyte. When nodulations grow and then contact with the anode, short circuits occurs. It reduce current efficiency and product quality. In this paper, the concentration and current density changes in the nodulation surface and the anode surface is proposed. The current density on the nodulation is the largest and the concentration is the smallest.

Numerical Simulation of Cathode Nodule Local Effeccts

“…In the inter-electrode local, the internal flow velocity of the electrolyte is uniform and flows smoothly. The convection speed is relatively steady, and the presence of two vortices, like the findings in the literature [6], is observed. Fig.…”

“…The results showed that the concentration of current density at the front end of the nodules is the reason for the enhanced growth at the front end and the formation of irregular dendrites. Zhao et al [6] analyzed the current density on the nodule surface and the corresponding anode and pointed out the importance of studying the current density on the nodule surface in reducing the duration of short circuits and even completely avoiding their occurrence. In addition, Adachi [7], Nakai [8], etc., simulated the secondary current distribution of the nodule growth process through numerical simulation of nodule placement on the cathode and concluded that when the height of the nodules exceeds 10mm, current concentration occurs due to the geometric shape of the protrusions, and the height of the protrusions increases exponentially with the duration of electrolysis, resulting in rapid growth of dendrites due to copper deposition.…”