Metal anodes with reduced anodic surface and high current density and their use in electrowinning processes with low cathodic current density

摘要

Describes an electrochemical process operated at relatively low cathodic current density and high anodic current density, particularly for electrowinning and electrorefining processes using dimensionally stable metal anodes with reduced anodic electrocatalytic surfaces to allow full exploitation of the advantages of insoluble metal anodes, such as lower overvoltages, high current density capability, and purer deposits, together with an economical employment of expensive anode materials. Cathodic/anodic current densityratios down to 1/20 are used without materially decreasing overall process efficiency or product's morphology. Choice of geometric parameters, practical aspects, typical embodiments and examples are disclosed.