A Current Efficiency Prediction Model Based on Electrode Kinetics for Iron and Copper During Copper Electrowinning

Abstract

Copper electrowinning is an important recovery method in the copper industry, which accounts for a growing proportion of the world copper production. In copper electrowinning, not all the current is used for the deposition of Cu, in large part because of the existence of dissolved iron in the electrolyte. The reduction of ferric ions is often the main factor that causes the current efficiency to decrease. The current efficiency is influenced by parameters such as electrolyte temperature, current density, iron concentration, copper concentration, etc. To obtain optimal operating conditions, thus minimizing energy consumption, a copper electrowinning current efficiency model was established using empirical formulas and electrode kinetics. Electrochemistry, gas-liquid flow, transport phenomena and comparisons to experimental data are considered to enhance the accuracy of the model. The model can predict the current efficiency under a variety of conditions to provide valuable guidance for the optimization of process parameters.