The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining
Increasing silver production rate has been a challenge for the existing refining facilities. The application of high current density (HCD) as one of the possible solutions to increase the process throughput is also expected to reduce both energy consumption and process inventory. From the recently-d...
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/10/12/1596 |
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| author | Arif T. Aji Jari Aromaa Mari Lundström |
| author_facet | Arif T. Aji Jari Aromaa Mari Lundström |
| author_sort | Arif T. Aji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Increasing silver production rate has been a challenge for the existing refining facilities. The application of high current density (HCD) as one of the possible solutions to increase the process throughput is also expected to reduce both energy consumption and process inventory. From the recently-developed models of silver electrorefining, this study simulated the optimum electrolyte parameters to optimize the specific energy consumption (SEC) and the silver inventory in the electrolyte for an HCD application. It was found that by using <i>[Cu<sup>2+</sup>]</i> in electrolyte, both objectives can be achieved. The suggested optimum composition range from this study was <i>[Ag<sup>+</sup>]</i> 100–150 g/dm<sup>3</sup>, <i>[HNO<sub>3</sub>]</i> 5 g/dm<sup>3</sup>, and <i>[Cu<sup>2+</sup>]</i> 50–75 g/dm<sup>3</sup>. HCD application (1000 A/m<sup>2</sup>) in these electrolyte conditions result in cell voltage of 2.7–3.2 V and SEC of 0.60–1.01 kWh/kg, with silver inventory in electrolyte of 26–39 kg silver for 100 kg per day basis. The corresponding figures for the conventional process were 1.5–2.8 V, 0.44–0.76 kWh/kg, and 15.54–194.25 kg, in respective order. These results show that, while HCD increases SEC by app. 30%, the improvement provides a significant smaller footprint as a result of a more compact of process. Thus, applying HCD in silver electrorefining offers the best solution in increasing production capacity and process efficiency. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-c42a483389f34dbda104afeb2f5efe0b2023-11-20T22:46:32ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012020-11-011012159610.3390/met10121596The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver ElectrorefiningArif T. Aji0Jari Aromaa1Mari Lundström2Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16200, FI 00076 Aalto, FinlandDepartment of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16200, FI 00076 Aalto, FinlandDepartment of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16200, FI 00076 Aalto, FinlandIncreasing silver production rate has been a challenge for the existing refining facilities. The application of high current density (HCD) as one of the possible solutions to increase the process throughput is also expected to reduce both energy consumption and process inventory. From the recently-developed models of silver electrorefining, this study simulated the optimum electrolyte parameters to optimize the specific energy consumption (SEC) and the silver inventory in the electrolyte for an HCD application. It was found that by using <i>[Cu<sup>2+</sup>]</i> in electrolyte, both objectives can be achieved. The suggested optimum composition range from this study was <i>[Ag<sup>+</sup>]</i> 100–150 g/dm<sup>3</sup>, <i>[HNO<sub>3</sub>]</i> 5 g/dm<sup>3</sup>, and <i>[Cu<sup>2+</sup>]</i> 50–75 g/dm<sup>3</sup>. HCD application (1000 A/m<sup>2</sup>) in these electrolyte conditions result in cell voltage of 2.7–3.2 V and SEC of 0.60–1.01 kWh/kg, with silver inventory in electrolyte of 26–39 kg silver for 100 kg per day basis. The corresponding figures for the conventional process were 1.5–2.8 V, 0.44–0.76 kWh/kg, and 15.54–194.25 kg, in respective order. These results show that, while HCD increases SEC by app. 30%, the improvement provides a significant smaller footprint as a result of a more compact of process. Thus, applying HCD in silver electrorefining offers the best solution in increasing production capacity and process efficiency.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/10/12/1596high current densitysilver electrorefiningenergy consumption |
| spellingShingle | Arif T. Aji Jari Aromaa Mari Lundström The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining Metals high current density silver electrorefining energy consumption |
| title | The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining |
| title_full | The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining |
| title_fullStr | The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining |
| title_short | The Optimum Electrolyte Parameters in the Application of High Current Density Silver Electrorefining |
| title_sort | optimum electrolyte parameters in the application of high current density silver electrorefining |
| topic | high current density silver electrorefining energy consumption |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/10/12/1596 |
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