Cyclone electrolysis technology
1.1 Working principle
All electrolysis technologies are based on the basic theory of electrochemistry, and cyclone electrolysis technology is no exception. The traditional electrolysis technology is to place the cathode and anode in a slow-flowing or stagnant cell. Under the action of the electric field, the anion moves directionally to the anode, and the cation moves directionally to the cathode. Electro-deposited precipitation is obtained, thereby obtaining an electrolytic product.
Cathodic reaction: Metal ions gain electrons at the cathode to form metals
Me+(aq)+e- →Me(S)
Anode Reaction: Electrons gained at the cathode need to be balanced by the loss of electrons through the anode. There are several possible reactions at the anode, the main one being the oxidation of water in the solution to produce oxygen, which is as follows:
2H2O → O2(g)+4H++4e-
When the metal concentration in the electrolyte decreases, it is difficult to ensure that the metal is reduced at the cathode without other reactions.
Comparison of working principles of traditional electrolysis technology and cyclone electrolysis technology
The chemical reaction most likely to occur at low metal concentrations is the production of hydrogen gas, as follows:
2H+(aq)+2e- → H2(g)
The cyclone electrolysis technology is based on the difference in the theoretical precipitation potential (E¢) of each metal ion, that is, as long as the metal to be extracted has a large potential difference with other metal ions in the solution system, the metal with a positive potential is easy to be preferentially placed at the cathode. The key to precipitation is to eliminate the unfavorable factors such as concentration polarization and other factors on electrolysis through the swirling flow of the solution, and avoid being affected by various factors (ion concentration, precipitation potential, concentration polarization, overpotential, pH value) in the traditional electrolysis process. etc.), high-quality metal products can be produced through simple technical conditions.
Taking the electrolysis (electrowinning) process of copper sulfate solution as an example, the reactions that take place in a cyclone electrolysis device are as follows: Direct current causes electrons to be transferred between the anode (positive electrode) and the cathode. The reaction that takes place at the anode consumes electrons (oxidation reaction), and the reaction at the cathode is a reaction that gains electrons (reduction reaction).
The divalent cupric ions are reduced to metallic copper on the cathode surface:
2Cu2+(aq) + 4e-2Cu(s) (1)
Electrons gained at the cathode must be balanced with electrons lost at the anode. There are various possibilities for the reactions that take place on the anode, the most likely being the oxygen evolution reaction of water.
2H2O(l)O2(g) + 4H+ + 4e- (2)
Summarizing Reaction 1 and Reaction 2, the overall reaction can be expressed as follows:
Cu2+(aq) + H2O(l)½O2 (g) + 2H+ + Cu(s) (3)
Schematic:
The current efficiency is mainly determined by other reactions other than the copper reduction reaction at the cathode. Ideally, the reaction that takes place at the cathode is the reduction of copper ions at the cathode to form copper metal. If this is the only cathodic reaction, the current is only used to deposit copper ions and the current efficiency is 100%
When the copper concentration in the electrolyte decreases, it is difficult to ensure that copper is reduced at the cathode without other reactions taking place. The chemical reaction most likely to occur at low copper concentrations is the generation of hydrogen gas, as follows:
2H+(aq)+2e- → H2(g)
1.2 Overview of cyclone electrolysis device
Cyclone electrolysis device is a comprehensive system integrating process equipment, electrical equipment and control system. The process is that the electrolytic solution is sent from the storage tank to the swirl electrolytic tank arranged and arranged according to the design through the solution delivery pump, the solution is circulated inside the device system, and the valuable metal ions are separated from the electrolytic solution by selective electrolysis. and adsorbed to the cathode plate. Barrel products are collected by a special product collection device, and powder products are automatically collected by a special powder collection system. The barrel-shaped product is further made into a plate body product through a subsequent supporting product processing device. The supporting intelligent power distribution device system and integrated control system that can operate at high current density and high efficiency adopts redundant hardware system and all-digital software-type high-precision trigger adjustment controller, duplex hot backup, and anti-harmonic interference. , Anti-strong magnetic field interference, communicate with the master control PLC system to complete the intelligent control of electrolytic current. Combined with the patented technology of the automatic control system, it can realize the independent detection of flow, liquid level, temperature, etc. in the production process, and ensure the accuracy and reliability of large-scale production.
1.3 Advantages of cyclone electrolysis technology
a. Wide range of application fields and can be used in many industries;
b. Wide range of raw material adaptability, the same device can process a variety of metals, and can selectively electrolytically deposit metals;
c. Flexible and diverse, process design can be carried out in a targeted manner according to customer needs;
d. Portable, modular components, easy to assemble, modular installation, small footprint and high space utilization;
e. Metal recovery and sharing are thorough, and ppm-level metal recovery and separation can be performed;
f. It is easy to reduce the metal ions in the solution you recycle to below 1000ppm, and make the valuable metals you need to recycle into plate or powder products (> 99.96%);
g. The solution is closed-circuited, effectively recovering the acid in the solution, avoiding the discharge of acid mist, and being safe and environmentally friendly;
h. Higher current density and current efficiency;
i. The process is simplified, which greatly reduces your operating costs and reduces your technical risks;
j. Compared with traditional electrolysis technology, the use of cyclone electrolysis technology can at least 18 months to 36 months in advance of the cost recovery period; improve product purity, improve profitability, achieve rapid profitability, and have a higher return on capital;
