Procedure for copper chloride aqueous electrolysis

摘要

The process for extraction of copper metal from copper sulfide ore comprises leaching copper sulfide ore with ferrous chloride solution, to produce copper chloride, and electrolysis of the copper chloride using adjacent electrolytic cells separated by a semi-permeable membrane. The leach liquor containing copper chloride is introduced into the cathode cell containing an aqueous electrolyte, and brine is introduced into the anode cell. The semi-permeable membrane is permeable by monovalent cations, permitting the flow of sodium ions or other monovalent cations from the anode to the cathode during electrolysis. Copper metal is withdrawn from the cathode and chlorine gas is removed from the anode for reclamation. The depleted copper chloride may be recycled for further electrolysis treatment. The depleted leach liquor may also then be treated with zinc powder and removed for further processing to remove lead, precious metals and other elements. Zinc cations and ferrous chloride may be also recovered from solution for recyling.