Copper recovery on an M500 cathode is shown in Photos 1, 2 & 3 in early stages of metal deposition. Metal deposits grow first near the current feeders down the length of the cathode on both sides, and around the top and bottom edges where electropotential and flow velocities (i.e., mass transfer coefficients) are greatest. As these areas fill with metal, both flow and electropotential are distributed throughout the remaining volume of carbon which then also begin to fill with metal until virtually the entire cathode carbon element is loaded with metal. Click the thumbnails to see the full image.

Last updated on June 9, 2012 by TJK