cdocastEngineering Knowledge Hub | CDOCAST Metallurgy & Casting Solutions
Copper electrorefining equipment from CDOCAST is designed for crude copper and copper-rich precious-metal collector alloys. Each system is engineered around the customer's feed assay, daily capacity, anode dimensions, cathode requirement, workshop utilities and anode-slime handling plan.
A complete line can integrate electrorefining cells, a high-current rectifier, copper busbars, electrolyte circulation and filtration, heating and temperature control, online pH monitoring, cell-bottom sludge transfer, a filter press and centralized electrical controls.
Electrorefining cell installation with electrode rows, copper busbars and solution-handling tanks. Final configuration is project-specific.
The equipment boundary can be configured from a core electrolysis section to a complete line with electrolyte management and anode-slime dewatering. The following modules are typical, but the final scope is confirmed after reviewing the actual process basis.
Supplies stable low-voltage direct current to dissolve copper from the anodes and deposit refined copper at the cathodes.
Holds the copper sulfate-sulfuric acid electrolyte and supports the alternating anode and cathode rows.
Distributes current to the crude-copper anodes and maintains repeatable electrical contact across the cell.
Provides the conductive path and deposition surfaces for refined cathode copper.
Draws electrolyte from the cell, removes suspended solids and returns the filtered solution to the electrorefining circuit.
Maintains the operating temperature required by the agreed process basis and protects heaters against unsafe low-liquid operation.
Provides an operating indication for solution condition and supports routine process records.
Dewaters concentrated sludge removed from the cell bottom into a filter cake that is easier to weigh, sample, store and route.
Supports rectifier installation and provides the operator interface for DC power control and monitoring.
Combines the start/stop and protection functions for circulation, filtration, heating, pH monitoring and other auxiliaries.
The following values are drawn from one preliminary project quotation and are shown only to explain how a customized copper electrorefining line may be configured. Final values must be recalculated for the customer's verified feed, operating schedule and acceptance basis.
| Item | Reference project basis | Why it must be customized |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal production basis | Approximately 200 kg | Actual output depends on crude-copper purity, copper-ion concentration, temperature, useful electrode area, current density, efficiency and operating time. |
| Rectifier | Adjustable up to approximately 8,000 A and 12 V; touchscreen and data recording | Normal operating current must be selected from electrode area and process conditions, not from the maximum rating alone. |
| Electrorefining cell | Approximately 4,000 × 1,000 × 1,000 mm reinforced PP cell with a sloped bottom | Dimensions depend on electrode size, spacing, loading method, electrolyte inventory, sludge zone and site layout. |
| Electrode positions | Reference arrangement of 20 anode positions and 19 cathode positions | Quantity and spacing depend on anode dimensions, current distribution, cathode type and maintenance access. |
| Cathodes | SUS316L cathode plates with insulating shielding frames | Material, dimensions and product-removal method depend on the required cathode product. |
| Online filtration | Chemical-resistant circulation filter, piping, flow valve and spare media | Filter flow, pressure, media and maintenance frequency depend on electrolyte volume and suspended-solids load. |
| Heating | Reference 18 kW PID heating system using multiple PTFE heaters and level protection | Installed heat duty depends on electrolyte volume, ambient conditions, heat loss and operating-temperature target. |
| Sludge dewatering | Hydraulic filter press with 500 × 500 mm plates, PP collection tank and auxiliary compressor | Plate area and chamber volume depend on actual sludge generation, solids behavior, washing plan and batch frequency. |
Conceptual copper electrorefining flow. Online filtration and batch filter-press dewatering serve different process streams.
Continuously or frequently treats circulating electrolyte with a relatively low suspended-solids concentration. Its role is to protect electrolyte cleanliness and cathode deposition conditions.
It does not: dewater bulk bottom sludge or remove dissolved metal ions by ordinary physical filtration.
Operates intermittently on concentrated sludge removed from the bottom of the electrorefining cell. Its role is to separate a manageable filter cake from filtrate.
It does not: replace routine electrolyte circulation or dissolved-impurity control.
Copper anode slime is principally collected from the designed cell-bottom zone, transferred as slurry and dewatered in the filter press. Each cake should be assigned a lot number, weighed, sampled and stored separately. Silver-electrorefining residue and copper anode slime should not be mixed before representative sampling and assay.
For preliminary downstream planning, the report should normally include wet mass, moisture, dry-basis mass, Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh and Cu, plus feed-relevant impurities such as Se, Te, Pb, As, Sb, Bi or Ni. The downstream Au/Ag/PGM route must be selected from the actual assay, batch variability, target products and local environmental requirements. A fixed slime yield or fixed precious-metal composition cannot be guaranteed for every feed.
The system is configured as non-standard equipment. Cell size, electrode quantity, rectifier, circulation flow, heating duty, filter and filter press are selected from the actual project basis.
Only under the feed and operating conditions used for its design. Actual production depends on copper purity, copper-ion concentration, temperature, current density, current efficiency, operating time, downtime and downstream handling. The quotation must define what the capacity figure means and how it will be accepted.
A sloped bottom supports planned accumulation and removal of settled solids toward the sludge discharge zone. The exact geometry and cleaning method are customized.
No. Ordinary filtration removes suspended particles, not dissolved ions. Electrolyte bleed, purification or other chemistry-specific treatment must be selected from solution analysis.
The filter press mechanically dewaters copper anode slime. It does not perform the subsequent chemical separation of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd or Rh. That refining route is selected after representative assay.
No universal value is technically appropriate. Slime generation and composition depend on the actual anode feed, phase association and operating conditions.
Technical note: This page supports preliminary equipment selection. Final specifications, performance conditions and acceptance criteria must be confirmed in the project quotation and technical agreement.