How copper is refined by the process of electrolytic refining ? Draw
the diagram of electrolytic bath.
Answers
In electrolytic refining process, the impure metal is made as anode and a thin strip of pure metal is made as cathode. A solution of the metal salt is made as an electrolyte.
Answer:
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Electrolytic refining is a process of refining a metal (mainly copper) by the process of electrolysis. As far as the mechanism of the process is concerned, during electrolysis, a large chunk or slab of impure metal is used as the anode with a thin strip of pure metal at the cathode.
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The clean or pure metal is formed at the cathode when the electrical current of a sufficient voltage is applied by dissolving impure metal at the anode. Electrolytic refining is also sometimes referred to as Electrorefining.
Copper is usually mined from its coal known as blister copper. It is about 98 to 99 per cent pure. However, the electro-refining process can easily make it 99.95% pure which makes it a good product to be used in electrical components.
Copper is usually mined from its coal known as blister copper. It is about 98 to 99 per cent pure. However, the electro-refining process can easily make it 99.95% pure which makes it a good product to be used in electrical components.A block of impure copper is taken as an anode or positive electrode. Copper sulfate which is acidified with sulphuric acid is used as a graphite-coated electrolyte along with pure copper tubes, as a cathode or negative electrode. In this phase of electrolysis copper sulfate divides into a positive ion of copper (Cu++) and a negative ion of sulfate (SO4—). The positive copper ion (Cu++) or cations travel towards the negative electrode made of pure copper where it absorbs the electrons from the cathode. Cu atom is deposited on the cathode’s graphite layer.
Copper is usually mined from its coal known as blister copper. It is about 98 to 99 per cent pure. However, the electro-refining process can easily make it 99.95% pure which makes it a good product to be used in electrical components.A block of impure copper is taken as an anode or positive electrode. Copper sulfate which is acidified with sulphuric acid is used as a graphite-coated electrolyte along with pure copper tubes, as a cathode or negative electrode. In this phase of electrolysis copper sulfate divides into a positive ion of copper (Cu++) and a negative ion of sulfate (SO4—). The positive copper ion (Cu++) or cations travel towards the negative electrode made of pure copper where it absorbs the electrons from the cathode. Cu atom is deposited on the cathode’s graphite layer.The cathode is coated with graphite in the process of electrolytic metal processing or merely electro grinding so that the concentrated material can be easily removed. This is one of the most growing electrolysis procedures.
However, anode’s metallic impurities are also mixed with SO4, forming metallic sulfate in the electrolyte solution and dissolving. Impurities such as silver and gold that are not produced by a solution of sulphuric acid-copper sulfate settle down as the anode sludge or dust.
The deposited copper is then separated from the cathode and anode and is replaced by a new block of raw copper at a regular interval for electrolytic copper refining.