Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nikel”, Norilsk, Russia:

V. V. Ryabinin, Chief Specialist of Department of Technological Process Safety Provision
E. V. Shulga, Chief Specialist of Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production, e-mail: shulgaev@nk.nornik.ru

Norilsk Industrial Institute, Norilsk, Russia:

L. I. Petukhova, Assistant Professor of a Chair of Non-Ferrous Metals' Metallurgy

Optimization of the colloidal mode during copper electrorefining is required for qualitative cathode deposit formation and its mode on-line adjustment demands a control of electrolyte surfactants content. The studies were carried out to determine leather glue content in copper electrolyte by potentiometric method. The electrolyte composition change was searched for its effect on assay results. The study included the use of standardized test solutions similar to commercial electrolyte as well as Copper Tankhouse commercial electrolyte. The leather glue “Extra” (OOO Kamyshlovsky Glue Plant, Kamyshlov) was used for calibration curve plotting. It was found out that copper concentration of solution has the full-scale effect on working electrode potential in electrolytic cell probably due to diffusion limitations. The electrolyte content of sulfuric acid has the minimum influence on working electrode potential. During the study a series of calibration relationships were plotted to determine “active concentration” of the leather glue in standardized test solutions and real electrolytes. In order to identify the possible use of relationship curves the statistical data were processed and showed that relationships obtained are valid and applicable for determination of electrolyte glue concentrations. The comparative evaluation of laboratory results and measurements of leather glue active concentration in Copper Tankhouse electrolyte showed that they are correct and pointed out the availability of potentiometric method for quantitative analysis of surfactants content in electrolyte.

1. Solovev E. M., Shalyapin A. Yu., Volkov L. V. Optimizatsiya kolloidnogo rezhima elektrorafinirovaniya medi (Optimization of colloid mode of copper electrorefining). Tsvetnye Metally = Non-ferrous metals. 2004. No. 12. pp. 98–102.
2. Astakhova R. K., Belenkiy A. B., Krasikov B. S., Kudryashov Yu. E., Lebedev A. E., Solovev E. M., Yakovleva S. V. Povedenie nekotorykh poverkhnostno-aktivnykh veshchestv v usloviyakh elektrorafinirovaniya medi (Behavior of some surface-active substances in copper electrorefining conditions). Zhurnal prikladnoy khimii = Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry. 1990. Vol. 63, No. 5. pp. 1028–1032.
3. A. E. Lebedev, Yu. E. Kudryashov, S. V. Yakovleva, B. S. Krasikov, A. B. Belenkiy, R. K. Astakhova, E. M. Solovev. Sposob opredeleniya kontsentratsii tiomocheviny i kleya v rastvorakh elektrorafinirovaniya medi (Method of definition of thiourea and glue concentration in copper electrorefining solutions). Certificate of Authority No. 1742706. Otkrytiya. Issledovaniya = Inventions. Researches. 1992. No. 23. p. 165.
4. GOST 3252–80. Kley mezdrovyy. Tekhnicheskie usloviya (State Standard 3252–80. Hide glue. Specifications). Introduced: January 01, 1981. (in Russian).
5. Lebedev A. E., Astakhova R. K., Belenkiy A. B., Krasikov B. S., Solovev E. M. Opredelenie tiomocheviny i kleya v rastvorakh elektroliticheskogo rafinirovaniya medi (Definition of thiourea and glue in the solutions of electrolytic copper refining). Tsvetnye Metally = Non-ferrous metals. 1992. No. 10. pp. 16–18.