Improving Productivity and Energy Efficiency in Copper Electrowinning Plants

This paper presents a complete energy efficiency and productivity improvement proposal for a copper EW plant using updated technical data and specific measurements obtained in the EW tankhouse during a production cycle (6 continuous days). The industrial EW plant site examined produces 180,000 Ton/year with an operating current density of 300 A/m² plusmn 8.5% dispersion. Different strategies to reduce energy losses in electrolytic cells and boost the copper production are proposed. These are based on the use of a improved inter-cell bar in combination with reduction of distance between electrodes in the EW cells. With proposal strategies, a +3.4% copper production and a +2.4% energy efficiency improvement are accomplished. The productivity improvement projected is MUSS 10.46 per year.