The Purification Process
Electrorefining is an electrochemical process used to purify metals to very high purity levels. It starts with an impure metal anode (often from a smelting process) which is dissolved in an electrolyte solution. An electric current causes the pure metal ions to deposit onto a pure cathode, leaving impurities behind or collecting them as anode slimes.
- Anode: Impure metal that dissolves into the electrolyte.
- Cathode: Thin sheet of pure metal where refined metal deposits.
- Electrolyte: Acidic solution containing metal ions, crucial for conduction.
- Anode Slimes: Valuable residue of less noble metals and precious metals.
The electrorefining cell features a titanium cylindrical cathode with a diameter of 250 mm and a height of 1000 mm, designed with a starter sheet to enable efficient metal deposition and easy harvesting.
The anode material is produced using a continuous casting process, forming a cylindrical anode with a height of 1200 mm, a diameter of 140 mm, and a wall thickness of 10 mm. This design ensures consistent dissolution, stable operation, and uniform current distribution during the refining process.
AVER-250-500
AVER-250-1000
AVER-250-2000
- 250mm Diameter 500mm Height
- Titanium Starter Sheet
- 0~6V 300 A
- Anode Filter Cartridge
- 140mm Anode Holder
- 250mm Diameter 1000mm Height
- Titanium Starter Sheet
- 0~6V 500 A
- Anode Filter Cartridge
- 140mm Anode Holder
- 250mm Diameter 2000mm Height
- Titanium Starter Sheet
- 0~6V 800 A
- Anode Filter Cartridge
- 140mm Anode Holder
Continuous Andoe casting Machine
Continuous Anode Casting Furnace System
| Item | AVCC-100 | AVCC-300 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 100 KG | 300 KG |
| Maximum Input Power | 90 kW | 160 kW |
| Input Voltage | 3-Phase 480(380)V, 50–60 Hz | 3-Phase 480(380)V, 50–60 Hz |
| Cooling Water Requirement | ≥ 0.2 MPa, ≥ 15 L/min | ≥ 0.2 MPa, ≥ 15 L/min |
Intelligent Traction Machine Specifications
- Rated Power: 1.5 kW
- Torque: 5 Nm
- Operation Mode: 10-inch Touch Screen
- Driver: Bipolar Constant Phase Current Interpolation Drive
- Control System: PLC Control System
- Pressure Wheel: 4-wheel combination, adjustable with dual-mode operation
Concentrated material is melted with the addition of copper, nickel, or iron. These metals act as collector metals, enabling the efficient recovery of noble metals. The final product is cast into metal ingots. Among these, copper is most widely used due to its ease of removal through electrorefining.
This continuous casting furnace serves as a pre-stage system for producing copper anode tubes used in the electrorefining process. The anodes are manufactured in a tubular shape, approximately 140 mm in diameter with a wall thickness of 12–15 mm.
A cyclone-type electrorefining cell is significantly more efficient and faster than traditional flat, rectangular anode and cathode systems. During electrorefining, copper is dissolved and removed, while noble metals settle at the bottom as what is known as “slime.”
This slime is then further processed through electrowinning to selectively recover high-value noble metals.