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SO2 Electrowinning in Copper Hydrometallurgy for Energy Conservation

  • Extractive & Process Metallurgy
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Summary

Conventional copper electrowinning involves the decomposition of water at the anode and has a cell potential of approximately 2 V. If the anode reaction is changed to involve the oxidation of sulfur dioxide the cell voltage can be cut almost in half and this change can dramatically affect the overall energy consumption of a hydrometallurgical process. As well as saving energy, this reaction also produces twice as much sulfuric acid and so has a double benefit when properly integrated into an overall process flowsheet. This paper discusses the electrochemistry of the reaction and indicates how it can be integrated into the Sherritt-Cominco process and the leach/solvent extraction/electrowinning process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dremco, 8832 E. Holmes, 85710, Tucson, Arizona

    Douglas J. Robinson (President)

Authors
  1. Douglas J. Robinson
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Dr. Robinson received his bachelor of t applied science in metallurgical engineering from the University of British Columbia and his doctorate in metallurgy from the University of Sheffield in England. He has worked as a research and development engineer for Cominco in Trail and Fort Saskatchewan, for Air Products and Chemicals at Greenville, Pennsylvania, and for the University of Arizona as an associate professor. Since 1981 he has been self-employed, specializing in the development of extractive metallurgical technology and equipment.

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Robinson, D.J. SO2 Electrowinning in Copper Hydrometallurgy for Energy Conservation. JOM 36, 43–47 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339914

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339914

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