Copper Electrolytic Refining Of Arsenic, Antimony, Bismuth Distribution Behavior And Its Application Research

During the process of copper electrolyzing and refining, some impurities like As-. Sb Bi, and so on, especially like Sb and Bi which are always considered the most baneful element that impact copper cathode production and quality. For a long time, lots of researches have been conducted by metallurgists or related professionals concerning the activity of the impurities like As Sb Bi Pb that appears in copper electrolyzing and refining process ,for example, researches of existential form and activities of the impurities, the forming structure and conditions of anode slime, and impact on cathode copper quality. And many remarkable results have been achieved.Based on the former study by other people, this paper includes the statistics and analyses on the distribution activities of impurity like As Sb and Bi which emerge during the process of copper electrolyzing and refining. It is very difficult to forecast composition of concentrate (extractive ores) being produced by different mines. Content of As Sb and Bi present trend of augment endlessly, and there is not better means of removing impurity with fire smelt at present, that leads content of impurity as As Sb and Bi of anode on the high side and an unwieldy electrolyte purge system. Especially most of As Sb and Bi coming from anode copper are distributed into electrolyte , which leads augment of consistency of impurity and increase burden of purging electrolyte . Experimental and practical researches of impurity distribution activities and common effect, and analysis on the removing and distribution activity of the impurities in the Guixi Smelter anode copper like As Sb and Bi and the forming structure and conditions of the flotating anode slime have been done. We have known the approach of impurity as As Sb and Bi modifying cathode copper, that is float anode slime clinging to cathode modifying performance of cathode copper in usual production condition of electrolysis. Via these experiments and study on compound anode slime which is made by adding As Sb Bi to industry anode, and on its electrochemistry activities and distribution activities during the process of copper electrolyzing and refining, Though researching, we discover content of Sb and Bi coming from slime mud are adding with their content coming from anode copper, but content of Sb is descending and Bi is ascending slightly in anode slime. We have made more than one test for purging electrolyte, a method of lowing and removing the impurities is found. We have made the tast for the distribution ratio of Sb and Bi in electrolyte. By adding X or Y reagent into electrolysis liquids, the distribution ratio of the impurities is changed and lowered down. As a result, the impurity density and purifying amount of electrolysis liquids is reduced. This method has been put into practical operation. Also it provided designing idea and basis for the phase III tank house modification plan of Guixi Smelter.