Anode and Cathode Quality Investigations

The anode quality is important, as anodes are a major input factor in the tankhouse and hence influence operations according to their properties; the cathode quality represents the actual operating conditions and enables problems to be identified from the actual deposit properties.

 

Our comprehensive investigations include:

• Chemical analysis
• Ground sections - macrostructure
• Ground sections - microstructure
• Grain size distribution
• Current density distribution
• Electrolyte properties (e.g., density, temperature, and composition)
  

After a thorough evaluation of the actual situation, a focused optimization approach is defined and realized.

• Anodes - more
• Cathodes - more

In cathodes, the final tankhouse product, impurities and inclusions are unwanted as they influence the chemical composition, as well as cathodic growth and hence the surface quality. The cathode standard that can be produced directly impacts on the market value.

The first apparent link when dealing with cathode quality issues, namely inclusions and impurity levels, is cathodic deposition - this is dependent on general tankhouse operations, but is also influenced by other parameters: A major factor is the system anode/electrolyte. This indicates the cathode quality is not merely a tankhouse problem, but cathode quality is defined much earlier, namely during the upstream processes, including input material (feed material) and its pre-treatment before entering the actual metallurgical process.

Therefore, it is not sufficient to start cathode quality optimization in the tankhouse (deposition), but the entire production process has to be considered.

 

In combination with the services of METTOP FIS, METTOP’s pyrometallurgical branch, we can provide comprehensive evaluations of impurities/inclusions in cathodes and their origin, as well as integral strategies for their prevention. The typical approach is to investigate the cathodes and anodes, and furthermore analyse the input materials and complete process flow, including material balance based on thermodynamic process modelling. Thereby, suitable ways to minimize the impurity content before the tankhouse process can be determined, facilitating and improving the actual cathode production and quality.