Effective Copper Diffusion Coefficients in CuSO₄—H₂SO₄ Electrowinning Electrolytes

Abstract

Mass transport is an important factor in the deposit quality of copper electrowinning. Presently, there is limited diffusivity data available at commercially relevant concentrations between 25 and 40 °C. Linear sweep voltammetry at a rotating disk electrode was used to measure effective diffusion coefficients of cupric ion for a wide range of copper concentrations (10-50 g/L), sulfuric acid concentrations (120-240 g/L), and temperatures (25-60 °C). The results were well correlated by the equation: D, m2/s = 2.977 x 10-10 -5.462 x 10-13 [Cu]-1.212 x 10-12 [H2SO4] + 1.688 x 10-11 x T, where [Cu] and [H2O4] are in g/L, and T is °C. Addition of 20 mg/L Cl- slightly increased effective diffusivity. Other common commercial organic smoothing agents were found to have no effect. The measured diffusivities were used to calculate the "maximum permissible current density" that can produce smooth dense cathodes as a function of copper concentration and temperature.

Meeting Name

9th International Symposium on Lead and Zinc Processing, PbZn 2020, held in conjunction with the 149th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, TMS 2020 (2020: Feb. 23-27, San Diego, CA)

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Research Center/Lab(s)

Center for Research in Energy and Environment (CREE)

Keywords and Phrases

Copper; Diffusion Coefficient; Electrowinning

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-303036295-9

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2367-1181

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2020 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 2020

Link to Full Text

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