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In the electrowinning section of a copper hydrometallurgical plant, the anode is an insoluble Pb-Sn-Ca alloy anode, while the cathode is a permanent stainless steel cathode; this setup is used to process copper sulfate solutions containing 45 g/l of copper, in order to produce standard cathode copper products. The electrowinning workshop uses two types of lead anodes: one is domestically produced, and the other comes from a company in South Africa; these anodes are placed in separate electrowinning cells, while the cathodes are supplied by the same company. All the electrowinning cells have the same cathode and other production parameters such as current density, circulation rate, solution composition, and temperature, except for the anode used. The problem is that the cathode copper production in electrowinning cells equipped with domestic anodes is high, with a current efficiency of around 90%; however, the anodes wear out rapidly, as layers of lead oxide film keep peeling off ; The production volume of the electrowinning cells equipped with imported South African anodes is much lower, with a current efficiency of 75–80%; however, the anodes suffer little wear, have a dense and smooth surface, and no flaking oxide layer. I would like to ask the experts what causes this? What are some ways to improve the current efficiency of cells used for depositing South African anode plates? Thank you, I’ll be waiting here, hoping to become friends with you.
The compositions of the anode plates from the two manufacturers will certainly differ; it is recommended to conduct a detailed analysis of their components (lead, tin, calcium, silver, antimony, copper, arsenic, bismuth). It is indeed a bit strange that there are differences in cathode efficiency, but the cell voltages of the two cells can be measured first (different overpotentials for oxygen evolution on the anode plates lead to differences in cell voltage). At the same time, the conductivity of the plates will also vary), as well as the slot current. If the two slots are connected in parallel, there may be uneven current distribution.
Learn about the new lead dioxide anode: an energy-saving and environmentally friendly anode for the hydrometallurgy industry. Technical parameters: pH value: