Title of Invention

PROCESS OF ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF COPPER CATHODES FROM PRIMARY LIBERATOR CELLS IN ELECTRO-REFINING

Abstract A Process of producing A grade cathode from liberated cells comprising the following steps, a) taking filter suspended solid into cell followed by increasing flow rate from 25 Ipm to 220 Ipm at a temperature between 60C to 65 C, using additives, b) maintaining a level of electrolyte in a cell above the level of anodes by removing V notches in the cell, c) providing spaces at a bottom of lead anodes to prevent its contact with cathode
Full Text FORM - 2
The Patent Act, 1 970 (39 of 1 970)
CO.MPLEXESPECJFJCATJON.
(Section 10; Rule 13)
"PROCESS OF ENHANCING THE QULAITY OF COPPER CATHODES FROM PRIMARY LIBERATOR CELLS IN ELECTRO-REFINING"
M/S. STERLITE INDUSTRIES (I). LTD. (A JOINT STOCK COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER INDIAN COMPANIES ACT 1956) having address at COPPER DIVISION 1/1/2, CHINCHPADHA U.T. OF D & NH
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention & the manner in which it is performed:
GRANTED

16-7-2007


The present invention relates to "Process Of Enhancing The Quality Of Copper Cathodes From Primary Liberator Cells In Electro-Refining".
The Electro-refining improves the purity of Copper from about 99.5% to 99.99%. This purity is necessary to obtain the required electrical conductivity for electrical applications.
Electro-refining mainly helps in Electro chemically dissolving copper from impure copper anodes to copper sulphate sulphuric acid-water electrolyte.
Selectively electro plating pure copper without the anode impurities from the electrolyte on to cathodes.
It serves basically two purposes.
It producer copper essentially free from impurities.
It Separates valuable impurities such as silver, gold from copper for subsequent recovery of these precious metals.
DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PROCESS:-
Liberator cells are used to maintain concentration of copper in electrolyte by process of electro winning. Copper which is associated with oxygen do not get deposited on cathode but go in electrolyte as elemental copper. This increases the concentration of copper in electrolyte. In electro winning, this excess copper from electrolyte gets deposited on cathode i.e. mother blank, lead anode is used as insoluble electrode.
However the existing process have many disadvantages over the present invention. Some of them are mentioned below:
The quality of cathode is not up to the London metal exchange standards with sulphur on higher side.

Bending of Lead anodes at the bottom during the process of electro-winning was resulting in contact of anode and cathode which result in short circuiting leading to lower liberator efficiency at 75%.
The main objective of the present invention is to improve the quality of cathodes generated from liberator cells and to produce "A" glade cathode.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT INVENTION :-
The flow in cells is increased from 25 Ipm to 180-220 Ipm.
Volume circulated in cells is taken form filters having suspended solids at 4 ppm level.
'V notches in cells is removed as level of electrolyte in cell is above the lead anodes due to increased flow which is damaging the lead anodes.
Spaces is fixed at the bottom of lead anodes preventing its contact with cathode. Spacers provided at lead anode to avoid direct contact of anodes and cathodes. Electrolyte flow--------— 180 to 200 Ipm
Temperate —— 60 to 65°C
Additives
Thiourea ----180 to 220 gmslmt Glue ----130 to 170gmslmt
ADVANTAGES:
Improve the quality of cathodes (chemically & physically) generated from liberator cells and to produce "A" grade cathodes.
Liberator efficiency is also increased.

Documents:

350-mum-2006-claim(granted)-(16-07-2007).doc

350-mum-2006-claim(granted)-(16-07-2007).pdf

350-mum-2006-correspondence(16-07-2007).pdf

350-mum-2006-correspondence(ipo)-(25-10-2007).pdf

350-mum-2006-form 1(10-03-2006).pdf

350-mum-2006-form 18(20-02-2007).pdf

350-mum-2006-form 2(granted)-(16-07-2007).pdf

350-mum-2006-form 3(10-03-2006).pdf

350-mum-2006-form 9(13-04-2006).pdf

350-mum-2006-form-2-(granted)-(16-07-2007).doc

350-mum-2006-power of attorney(17-02-2006).pdf


Patent Number 213530
Indian Patent Application Number 350/MUM/2006
PG Journal Number 42/2008
Publication Date 17-Oct-2008
Grant Date 07-Jan-2008
Date of Filing 10-Mar-2006
Name of Patentee M/S. STERLITE INDUSTRIES ( I ) LTD
Applicant Address COPPER DIVISION 1/1/2, CHINCHPADA,SILVASSA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KIRAN SHETTY COPPER DIVISION 1/1/2, CHINCHPADA,SILVASSA-396 230
2 VIKRAM PATNI COPPER DIVISION 1/1/2, CHINCHPADA,SILVASSA-396 230
PCT International Classification Number C25C1/12
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA