Anode and method of operating an electrolysis cell

Abstract

The invention relates to an anode for electrowinning process in an electrolytic cell, and the method of operation thereof, having cell walls and a cell bottom for holding an electrolyte and electrolyte feeding means, which anode comprises a hanger bar for supporting the anode, a conducting rod for distributing the current, an anode body having at least partly conductive structure. The anode body allows electrolyte penetration and is at least partly covered by electrocatalytic coating, when in connection with the anode there is arranged a non-conductive element, which is restricted to the conductive structure of the anode body, at least from its one side, and which non-conductive element is arranged at a distance A from the electrolyte surface level, when the non-conductive element provides a means for attaching the anode to the cell.

1 . An anode ( 1 ) for electrowinning process in an electrolytic cell ( 4 ) having cell walls ( 2 ) and cell bottom ( 3 ) for holding an electrolyte and electrolyte feeding means ( 6 ), which anode comprises of a hanger bar ( 7 ) for supporting the anode, a conducting rod ( 8 ), for distributing the current to the anode, an anode body ( 9 ) having at least a partly conductive structure, which anode body allows the penetration of the electrolyte and is at least partly covered by electrocatalytic coating, characterized in that in connection with the anode ( 1 ) there is arranged a non-conductive element ( 10 ,  12 ,  14 ), which is restricted to the conductive structure of the anode body ( 9 ) at least from its one side and which non-conductive element is arranged at a distance A from the electrolyte surface level ( 11 ), when the non-conductive element provides a means for attaching the anode to the electrolytic cell ( 4 ). 
     
     
         2 . Anode according to the  claim 1 , characterized in that the length A is arranged to be between 0.3-2 meters. 
     
     
         3 . Anode according to the  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the non-conductive element ( 10 ,  14 ) of the anode ( 1 ) is formed by excluding part of the anode body ( 9 ) from electrocatalytic coating. 
     
     
         4 . Anode according to  claim 3 , characterized in that at least  2  percent of the anode surface is excluded from electrocatalytic coating. 
     
     
         5 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 2 , characterized in that the non-conductive element is made of at least one non-conductive object ( 12 ) attached to the anode body ( 9 ). 
     
     
         6 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the anode is being attached into the electrolytic cell ( 4 ) by anchoring elements ( 13 ) located in the cell bottom ( 3 ). 
     
     
         7 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the anode is being attached into the electrolytic cell by anchoring elements ( 13 ) located in the cell wall. 
     
     
         8 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the anode is being attached into the electrolytic cell by anchoring elements ( 13 ) located in the electrolyte feeding means ( 6 ). 
     
     
         9 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the anode is being attached into the electrolytic cell by anchoring elements ( 13 ) attached to the cathode next to the anode ( 1 ). 
     
     
         10 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 9 , characterized in that the conductive structure of the anode body ( 9 ) consists of a mesh structure, including preferably at least one of the following; Ti, Ni, Pb, Ta, Zr or Nb. 
     
     
         11 . Anode according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrocatalytic coating is consists of a Pt-group metal oxide or a mixture of metal oxides. 
     
     
         12 . Anode according to any of the  claims 1 - 11 , characterized in that the height B between the upper part ( 16 ) of the non-conductive element ( 10 , 12 , 14 ) and anode bottom surface ( 15 ) is arranged to be between 0.05-0.3 m. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating an electrolysis cell to be used in the electrowinning of metal, when metal is electrodeposited on the cathode surface from an electrolyte solution ( 5 ) in an electrolytic cell ( 4 ) having cell walls ( 2 ) and cell bottom ( 3 ), which cell ( 4 ) contains electrolyte ( 5 ) where anodes ( 1 ) and cathodes are immersed in alternating fashion, in which the anode is supported by a hanger bar ( 7 ) on the conducting rod, which distributes the current to the anode, when the anode body ( 9 ) has at least partly conductive structure allowing the penetration of the electrolyte and an electrocatalytic coating, characterized in that the anode is attached inside the electrolytic cell ( 4 ) by a non-conductive element ( 10 ,  12 ,  14 ) arranged in connection with the anode ( 1 ), which non-conductive element is restricted to the conductive structure of the anode body at least from its one side and which non-conductive element is arranged at a distance A from the electrolyte surface level ( 11 ). 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the anode is attached into the electrolytic cell bottom ( 3 ) by anchoring elements ( 13 ). 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the anode is attached into the electrolytic cell wall ( 2 ) by anchoring elements. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the anode is attached into the electrolyte feeding means ( 6 ) by anchoring elements ( 13 ). 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the anode is attached into the cathode next to the anode by anchoring elements ( 13 ). 
     
     
         18 . Method according to any of the  claims 13 - 17 , characterized in that the electrolyte is fed at least from two manifolds in the cell, when the other one is at the is bottom of the cell. 
     
     
         19 . Use of the anode according to any one of the  claims 1  to  12  in the electrowinning of the metal copper, Cu.