A CONCEPT TO CONTROL ACID MIST, ORGANIC REMOVAL, HEIGHT OF DEPOSITION AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR ELECTRO-WINNING CELLS
F. Penna C. Villaseca R. Villarroel
Tecnocomposites S.A.
ORGANIC ENTRAINMENTS
THE PROBLEM Organic entrainments are undesired events It impregnates over cathodes, structures and equipments Is flamable so increasing fire risk Organic burn is present on cathodes thus impairing the stripping
ORGANIC ENTRAINMENTS
A SOLUTION FOR ACID MIST THAT TURNS INTO A PROBLEM Organic adhere to plastic balls additional procedure for washing balls
ORGANIC REMOVAL
CURRENTLY USED TECHNIQUES Scavenger cells Pumping from surface of cells
Manual removal
Absorbent cloths
ORGANIC REMOVAL
CURRENTLY USED TECHNIQUES
LATERALFLOW
SUMMARY
A gutter along the entire cell integrated to the frame of the LateralVex Two gutters connected to a collector located at the cells overflow A device that can be easily mounted into new or existing cells Control of electrolyte level and/or heigth of copper deposition Cascade effect produced by the overflow at both sides Control of acid mist in the cell
LATERALFLOW
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Stack Electrolytic Cell
Transport Ducts
LATERALFLOW
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Suction Plenum (LateralVex)
Guide
LATERALFLOW
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Suction Plenum (LateralVex)
Overflow collector
LATERALFLOW
Anode
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Cover
Guide
Cathode
Flexible cover
LATERALFLOW
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Suction Plenum
LATERALFLOW
WORKING PRINCIPLE
LATERALFLOW
TEST IN EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
TEST IN EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
TEST IN EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
TEST IN EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT
Overview
LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT
Do not require additional handling during harvest Clean cathodes Less organic for removing
LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT
LATERALFLOW
CONCLUSIONS
Uniform overflow by short distance Improve electrolyte distribution around the plates (*) Homogeneous deposition throughout the length of the cell (*) Organic entrainments and other floating impurities are quickly removed Better control of heigth of deposition Acid mist is successfully controlled at the source
(*) In study
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GRATITUDE