Direct electrochemical reduction of copper sulfide in molten borax

In this study, for the first time, direct copper production from copper sulfide was carried out via direct electrochemical reduction method using inexpensive and stable molten borax electrolyte. The effects of current density (100–800 mA/cm 2 ) and electrolysis time (15–90 min) on both the cathodic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of minerals, metallurgy and materials metallurgy and materials, 2019-08, Vol.26 (8), p.992-998
Main Authors: Kartal, Levent, Timur, Servet
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Borax
Ceramics
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemical reactions
Chemical reduction
Chemistry and Materials Science
Composites
Copper
Copper sulfides
Corrosion and Coatings
Current density
Current efficiency
Efficiency
Electrochemistry
Electrolysis
Electrolytes
Emissions
Energy consumption
Experiments
Gases
Glass
Graphite
Materials Science
Metal sulfides
Metallic Materials
Natural Materials
Primary production
Scientific imaging
Sulfide compounds
Sulfides
Sulfur content
Surfaces and Interfaces
Temperature
Thin Films
Titanium
Tribology
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Summary:In this study, for the first time, direct copper production from copper sulfide was carried out via direct electrochemical reduction method using inexpensive and stable molten borax electrolyte. The effects of current density (100–800 mA/cm 2 ) and electrolysis time (15–90 min) on both the cathodic current efficiency and copper yield were systematically investigated in consideration of possible electrochemical/chemical reactions at 1200°C. The copper production yield reached 98.09% after 90 min of electrolysis at a current density of 600 mA/cm 2 . Direct metal production was shown to be possible with 6 kWh/kg energy consumption at a 600 mA/cm 2 current density, at which the highest current efficiency (41%) was obtained. The suggested method can also be applied to metal/alloy production from single- and mixed-metal sulfides coming from primary production and precipitated sulfides, which are produced in the mining and metallurgical industries during treatment of process solutions or wastewaters.
ISSN:1674-4799
1869-103X
DOI:10.1007/s12613-019-1821-x