ANODE SLIME BEHAVIOR IN A LABORATORY-SCALE COPPER ELECTROREFINING PROCESS

Combining conventional electrochemical measurements, laser-based visua lization and digital image processing, the movement of anode slime, it s spatial distribution and path of falling during the copper electrore fining process were investigated in a laboratory scale cell. Two types of anode slime, small agglomerates and fine particles were observed. The behaviour of the slime was found to be closely related to the elec trolyte circulation pattern. Different circulation rates and direction can only change the magnitude of the falling rate of small agglomerat es, but not its direction. The path of falling is essentially random. By contrast, the direction of circulation can change both the rate of movement and the direction in the case of fine-particle slimes. Downwa rd circulation accelerates the rate of settling; the higher the circul ation rate, the faster the rate of slime removal from the cell.