A STATISTICAL RESPONSE-SURFACE STUDY OF THE TELLURIUM ELECTROWINNING PROCESS

Statistical methods have been used to design an efficient experimental study of the tellurium electrowinning process where current density, electrolyte flow rate, temperature, free NaOH and initial Te concentra tion were varied simultaneously. Regression analysis was used to quant ify the relative impact of each process operating parameter on the pur ity of electrowon Te. Empirical models show that significant interacti ons between process parameters allow for the minimization of Se and Pb co-deposition. Behaviour predicted by the models has been substantiat ed with voltametric and amperochronometric observations, confirming th at statistical design of experiments effectively mapped the process re sponses.