Electrorecovery of copper from dilute waste solutions using packed column cells

The concentration of copper ions in dilute solutions is less than 5 gl[-1], which is unsuitable for conventional electrolysis cells. Non-conventional cells with relatively large cathodic area are essential. Packed column, three-dimensional particulate electrode cell [PCE] has been investigated. The effect of cathodic current densities, initial copper concentrations, free sulphuric acid concentration and rate of flow of the solution on both cathodic current efficiency and power consumption were determined. The effect of the presence of iron and zinc cations on the electrowinning process was studied. Copper could be removed to less than 5 ppm with current efficiencies of about 88%.