PRESSURE-DROP BEHAVIOR IN A 3-DIMENSIONAL PACKED-BED CELL DURING COPPER DEPOSITION AND HYDROGEN EVOLUTION

Pressure drop in a three-dimensional packed bed electrode cell has been investigated during electrowinning of copper with simultaneous hydrogen evolution. The presence of gas bubbles in the packed bed electrode leads to an increase in the pressure drop in the electrolyte flowing through the cell. This pressure drop increase was in the range of 30 to 70% relative to the bubble-free case. Parameters such as current density, electrolyte velocity and particle shape greatly influence the pressure drop behaviour. Experimental results are correlated using the Ergun equation and show satisfactorily good agreement in the investigated range of modified Reynolds number.