In an effort to improve the EW side of SX/EW plants, Metso recently introduced the integrated Copper Electrowinning (CuEW) plant to ensure safe and sustainable operations for high-purity copper cathode production. The pre-engineered layout accommodates a range of capacities, ensuring flexibility and scalability.
"The integrated CuEW Plant offers reliability and availability by leveraging modern, proven technology," said Lauri Palmu, senior product manager, hydrometallurgy at Metso. "Its advanced digital and automation solutions and the acid mist capture system enable production optimization in a safe manner while minimizing environmental impact. When the CuEW Plant is integrated with Metso solvent extraction (SX) plants, high quality and production can be ensured."
EW is used to recover metals from concentrated solutions by applying electricity across electrodes immersed in a concentrated electrolyte solution. It is commonly used to recover base metals such as copper, zinc, nickel, and cobalt.
Metso said its pre-engineered CuEW plant offers seamless integration with SX technology, EW machines and equipment. The plant design features an optimized and compact footprint, allowing efficient use of space. Safety is enhanced through Metso's fully automated Outotec tankhouse products, which form the core elements of the plant. A DoubleContact busbar system reduces energy consumption as well as operating and maintenance costs.
In related news, Metso has digitized quality control analysis for cathode stripping machines with CathodeSense+. Developed for high-speed cathode stripping machines, Metso described it as a reliable free-standing system for the detection of nodules. Thanks to its advanced features, the system provides a full high-resolution 3D-scan, thus enabling higher cathode quality control.
"The new CathodeSense+ is an improved and more robust version of its predecessor," said Henrik Jönsson, automation engineer, hydrometallurgy at Metso. "It features user-friendly interfaces to enhance the overall experience while providing accurate quality analysis. In addition, its modular design and small installation footprint makes it easy to implement in both brownfield and greenfield environments."
CathodeSense+ interfaces with different control systems and requires no calibration, further simplifying its use. Quality analysis is delivered in less than 0.5 seconds with the capability of handling high-capacity throughput with up to 600 cathodes processed per hour.