Patent ID: 7378011
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
1. A method of electrowinning copper comprising: providing an electrolytic cell comprising at least one flow-through anode and at least one plate cathode, wherein said plate cathode has an active surface area; providing a flow of electrolyte through a plurality of injection holes to said electrolytic cell, wherein said electrolyte comprises copper and solubilized ferrous iron and wherein said plurality of injection holes are located on at least one of the floor and the ceiling of said electrolytic cell; oxidizing at least a portion of said solubilized ferrous iron in said electrolyte at the at least one flow-through anode from ferrous iron to ferric iron; removing at least a portion of said copper from said electrolyte at the at least one plate cathode; and operating said electrolytic cell at a cell voltage and at a current density, wherein said cell voltage is less than about 1.5 Volts and wherein said current density is greater than about 26 amperes per square foot of active plate cathode.