Optimizing the Impacts of Organic and Surfactants on the Suppression of Sulfuric Acid Mist in Electrowinning System
Location
Innovation Lab Atrium
Start Date
4-3-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
4-3-2025 11:30 AM
Presentation Date
3 April 2025, 10:00am - 11:30am
Biography
Ellen Amoako Afful is a graduate student in Mining Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental and safety engineering and previously worked with the Environmental Protection Agency in Ghana, West Africa. Ellen is a member of the Ventilation, Safety, and Health Research Group, led by Dr. Guang Xu. Her research focuses on optimizing the impact of the interaction between organic solvents and surfactant-based suppressants on the suppression of acid mist during copper electrowinning. She will present findings from laboratory research examining the effectiveness of these substances in mitigating environmental and safety concerns.
Meeting Name
2025 - Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference
Department(s)
Mining Engineering
Second Department
Materials Science and Engineering
Document Type
Poster
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
event
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 The Authors, All rights reserved
Optimizing the Impacts of Organic and Surfactants on the Suppression of Sulfuric Acid Mist in Electrowinning System
Innovation Lab Atrium
Comments
Advisor: Guang Xu
Award: Best Poster Presentation - Graduate (tie)
Abstract:
Electrowinning and solvent extraction are essential steps in the production of high-purity copper. However, safety concerns have been raised regarding the acid mist generated from the electrowinning process. This mist poses health risks to workers and can cause damage to machinery and equipment. Currently, chemical surfactants and pellets are used to control acid mist in electrowinning tanks. However, the effectiveness of chemical surfactants may be influenced by the organic solvent used in the solvent extraction process, as traces of the solvent can make its way into the electrolyte after stripping. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the interaction between organic solvents and surfactants in the suppressing acid mist. In this study, an electrolyte is exposed to organic solvents to simulate the solvent extraction process. A surfactant is added to the electrolyte at each contact. Acid mist testing is conducted on the electrolyte that is separated from the organic phase at the end of the solvent extraction step (stripping). The mist collected is then analyzed to determine the level of acid mist generated. The result from this study indicates that organic solvents and surfactants play a crucial role in copper production and may also play a role in mist suppression.