Electrometallurgical Processing

Abstract

Electrowinning is an electrochemical process employed to extract metals such as copper, zinc, nickel, manganese and cadmium from their solutions. The electrolytic cell is the basic device used in this process, consisting of an inert anode, such as lead or titanium, and a cathode, placed in an aqueous electrolyte containing the metal solution. The cathode is either a thin plate of pure metal (starter sheet) or a plate made from stainless steel or aluminium (permanent cathode plate). Metal ions pass from the solution and are deposited onto the cathode; gases such as chlorine or oxygen are evolved at the anode.