Electrochemical Reduction of Ferric Ions Using Hydrogen Gas

Solvent extraction/electrowinning (SXEW) is a growing segment of the copper industry, producing some of the best quality copper in the market. Electrowinning of copper is a highly energy-intensive process that oxidizes water, producing oxygen and an acid mist that may be hazardous to both humans and equipments in the work environment. This invention relates to the ferrous/ferric/sulfur dioxide (FFS) chemical species in the electrowinning process. The reactions that represent the electro-chemistry of the FFS process have an over all low electrical potential compared to the conventional copper electroplating process. No gas is produced in this process and it is safer and more environment friendly.

Benefits
This technology can be used in
*copper industry for copper metal recovery
*various commercial applications where ferric ion reduction occurs in electrowinning solutions that utilize ferrous oxidation as the anodic half-cell reaction


Stage of Development
This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Additional Info
*"Improving the morphology of copper electrodeposits from halide media using additives and mass transport control", Free, Michael L.; Bhide, Ravindra; Rodchanarowan, Aphichart, 208th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society - Meeting Abstracts, 2005, p 1279
*http://www.cc.utah.edu/~mlf5/
*http://www.mines.utah.edu/metallurgy/Faculty.html

Inventor(s): Jan Miller, Ravindra Bhide, Michael Free

Type of Offer: Licensing



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