A study of copper electrowinning parameters using a statistically designed methodology

This study employs a factorial experimental design to relate current efficiency with current density ( 180 and 300 A m(-2)), copper concentration (25 and 65 g l(-1)), and temperature (40 and 60 degreesC). Pure, synthetic electrolyte with a constant acid concentration of 180 g l(-1) was used. The designed study produced a linear relationship where the independent variables of current density, copper concentration, temperature and their interactions were found to be statistically significant. It was shown that current efficiency could not solely be used as a predictor of copper cathode quality. The quality of the deposit is difficult to incorporate into a model or relation. It was determined that other measures, such as cathode morphology and crystal structure should be considered. This was done through XRD and SEM analysis.