Effect of operating parameters on the performance of electrochemical cell in copper-chlorine cycle

摘要

The electrolysis of cuprous chloride was carried out in the electrochemical cell. The particle size, current density, cathodic current efficiency, conversion of cuprous chloride and yield of copper formed depends strongly on current flow, heat transfer and mass transfer operation. The current flow, heat transfer and mass transfer are depends on surface area ratio of anode to cathode, distance between electrodes, concentration of HCl, applied voltage, flow rate of electrolyte, CuCl concentration and reaction temperature. The electrolysis of cuprous chloride as a part of Cu—Cl thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production is experimentally demonstrated in proof-of-concept work.

主权项

1. A process for electrolysis of cuprous chloride to produce copper, comprising the steps of:
a) contacting at least one anode and at least one cathode of an electrochemical cell with an electrolyte in a compartment wherein the anode and the cathode are separated by an ion exchange membrane; and b) applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode to produce copper, wherein the electrolyte is cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid of 0.1 N to 6 N concentration and the anode to cathode surface area ratio is in the range of 5:1 to 30:1.