5000 TPA Copper EW Plant in Africa

precision technology

5000 TPA Copper EW Plant in Central Asia

Sichuan Precision Technologies has designed the 5000 TPA copper electrowinning (EW) plant. The purpose of the design is to safely and efficiently deposit high-purity cathode copper from copper sulfate solution through a suitable electrowinning process. This project showcases our expertise in delivering a complete and tailored design that considers the specific conditions of the site, addresses every detail, and effectively utilizes our techniques, including patented technologies.

Process Flow Sheet

Basic Parameters

No.	Description	Unit	Qty	Remark
1	DC Output Voltage	V	64
2	DC Output Current	kA	22.5
3	Cathode Copper Capacity	t/a	5000
4	Designed Current Density	A/m²	250	Operating at 250~300A/m2
5	Time Efficiency	%	90
6	Current Efficiency	%	90
7	Cell Voltage	V	2~2.2
8	Pitch	mm	100
9	Cycle Time	Days	6~8
10	Anodes Number	Pcs/Cell	46
11	Cathodes Number	Pcs/Cell	45
12	Cathodes Deposit Area	m2	2.0	Both sides
13	Circulation Flow Rate	L/min/Cell	80~90	Electrolyte
14	Work Days	Days/Year	300

Description of Equipment Configuration

1. Calculation of the Number of EW Cells

Capacity	Work Days	Capacity	Deposit Area	Current Density	No. of Cathodes	Current	C.E.	T.E.	Product	Cells Need	No. of Cells
TPA	Days/Year	TPD	m²	A/m²	Pcs/Cell	A	%	%	T/Cell/Day	Pcs	Pcs
5000	300	16.67	2	250	45	22500	90	95	0.52	32.15	32

In normal operation (without power failure frequently and much problems in the process), C.E. (current efficiency) can reach to 90%, T.E. (Time efficiency or Utilization ) can reach to 95%, and the current density can reach to 300A/m2, So the capacity can be increased by Max. 30%.

2. Configuration of Rectifier

1 set of rectifier SCR (including the transformer) is adopted.
Output DC current Max.: 2.0 m2/cathode x 45 cathodes/cell x300A/m2=27000A
Output DC Voltage Max: 2.2 V x 32=71 v
The output of the rectifier is set as: 80V*27KA.

3. Stainless Steel Cathode

Use the S.S. 316L cathode.
Deposit area is 2.0 m2; 45 pcs/cell.

4. Lead Anode

Component:
Pb>99%; Sn: 0.8%; Ca: 0.04~0.08%.

5. Electrowinning Cell

Material: Polymer Concrete
L5000mm × W1200mm × H1450mm of the EW Cell in which 45 Cathodes / 46 anodes can be put.

6. Circulation Pump

The circulation flow rate is 100 L/min per cell at a maximum current density of 260 A/m², with a Cu²⁺ concentration drop of less than 5 g/L, which is acceptable. One pump is in operation, and one pump is kept as a spare. The flow rate is 330 m³/h, with a head of 13 m.

7. Cathode Stripping Machine

One cathode washing and stripping machine adoped. For 5000 tpa capacity of cathode copper, It works less than 2hs per day at the speed of 250 cathodes plates per hour stripped. It receives the cathodes from the overhead crane then washing, stripping, stacking and weighing the copper bundles.The blank plates after stripping are then transferred to conveyor at 3 times as the pitch(300mm) for the bale handling and are back to the cell for next cycle. It also can have the bundling and sampling function if the cost is not care.