METHOD FOR DECOPPERIZATION OF SULFURIC ACID SOLUTIONS OF COPPER ELECTROLYTE PRODUCTION Russian patent published in 2024 - IPC C25C1/12 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of non-ferrous metallurgy solutions processing, as well as metallurgy of other non-ferrous metals from sulfuric acid solutions by electric extraction, in particular, to electrolytic deposition of copper from sulfuric acid solutions of copper electrolyte production (decopperization). Method involves three-step decopperization of a sulfuric acid solution with an initial content of copper 85 g/dm³, nickel 59.2 g/dm³, arsenic 39.4 g/dm³ and antimony 2.36 g/dm³ using cyclone electrolysis system with gradual reduction of cathode current density from 600 to 200 A/m² to final content of copper in sulfuric acid solution of 0.5 g/dm³ and to obtain a compact cathode deposit with copper content of 99.8–99.98% at all three stages. Decopperization at stage 1 is carried out at 600 A/m², at stage 2 at 400 A/m², and at stage 3 at 200 A/m².

EFFECT: obtaining a compact easily removable cathode deposit with copper content of 99,8-99,98%, increase in the efficiency of the decopperization process in comparison with the classical method by 2,5 times, from 1,4 to 3,5 t of copper/day, due to increase of copper extraction from 60–70% to 96–98%, at reduction of power consumption by 20–25% in comparison with classical electrolysis.

1 cl, 8 tbl, 1 ex