Analysis of the process main variables influence in the rejection of the cathodes during copper electrorefining

An experimental circuit of copper electrorefining using three types of anodes coming from three different Chilean foundries: Hernan Videla Lira, Las Ventanas and El Teniente was used to simulate the electrorefining process. In this circuit the problem of the cathode rejection and the influence of some process variables in this phenomenon were studied. The variables analyzed were: electrolyte cell flow, solids in suspension, current density, lead doping in the anodes and density and particle size of the anodic slimes generated. The main results obtained from the experimental circuit were the following: the electrolyte flow doesn't affect significantly the cathodic rejection, an increase of current density produces a decrease of cathodic rejections, the presence of the solids in suspension causes cathodes outside of norm, and to bigger quantity of lead in the anodes smallest were the rejections.