Electrochemical utilization of disperse copper-iron waste

The possibility of processing contaminated copper powder with an iron content of 1.6-12.2% by the electrochemical refining method has been studied. This powder is formed during the processing of copper-containing salt waste of galvanic production by exchange reaction and does not find the application. It is shown that during electro-refining of the contaminated copper powder in the sulfate electrolyte, high-purity cathode copper corresponding to the Cu-ECP grade can be obtained. Technological recommendations for the implementation of the process are proposed, in particular, a method of depassivating a titanium current lead to a copper powder. It was found that along with the anodic dissolution of copper and iron from the powder, the iron component is chemically dissolved due to the copper exchange reaction. In experiments with model solutions, the effect of Fe(III) ions in the electrolyte on the rate of chemical and electrochemical reactions was studied. It was found that the negative effect of Fe(III) ions on the cathode deposition of copper can be reduced with an additive NaF into the electrolyte and increasing the cathode current density.