PRESSURE-DROP BEHAVIOR IN A 3-DIMENSIONAL PACKED-BED CELL DURING COPPER DEPOSITION AND HYDROGEN EVOLUTION

Pressure drop in a three-dimensional packed bed electrode cell has bee n investigated during electrowinning of copper with simultaneous hydro gen evolution. The presence of gas bubbles in the packed bed electrode leads to an increase in the pressure drop in the electrolyte flowing through the cell. This pressure drop increase was in the range of 30 t o 70% relative to the bubble-free case. Parameters such as current den sity, electrolyte velocity and particle shape greatly influence the pr essure drop behaviour. Experimental results are correlated using the E rgun equation and show satisfactorily good agreement in the investigat ed range of modified Reynolds number.