Preparation Of Fine Copper Powders By Galvanostatic Regime Of Electrolysis Of Copper Scrap In A Cylindrical Electrochemical Cell

A cylindrical electrochemical cell is designed. The mean residence time and volume fraction of stagnant zone under perpendicular inflow (PI) and tangential inflow (TI) are studied by hydraulics experiments. Fine copper powders are prepared by galvanostatic regime of electrolysis of copper scrap. The effects of current density on current efficiency, cell voltage, power consumption, and the particle size of copper powder (D50) are investi-gated both under PI and TI. The results show the residence time of fluid particles is prolonged with decreasing flow rate, which is beneficial to the reaction of substances, and volume fraction of stagnant zone decrease. Max-imum current efficiency and minimum power consumption are obtained under PI, which corresponds to the maximum D50 particle size. According to SEM figures, deposits on the surface of cathode are honeycomb-like forms. There are more arborous secondary dendrites under PI, but more compact and stout dendrites under TI in comparison.(c) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.