Keywords
Citation
(1998), "Ion-exchange system", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 45 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1998.12845caf.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
Ion-exchange system
Ion-exchange system
Keywords Decontamination, Ion exchange
An ion-exchange system, developed by Eichrom Industries Inc. (Darien, Illinois), is expected to save a Mexican copper producer more than $2 million/year by removing an iron contaminant from the company's hydrometallurgical circuit. Located at Mexicana de Cananea (Cananea, Sonora), the system is designed to remove up to 1mt/d of iron. It is the first large scale use of Eichrom's iron control process.
The resin is chelating ion-exchange resin that contains geminally substituted phosphonic acid. At Cananea, it removes iron from the copper-rich sulphuric acid solution before the solution goes to the electrowinning plant. Iron reduces the current efficiency of electrowinning cells. Since the acid is continually recycled to carry more copper to the cells, the iron content builds up.
Eichrom's systems continuously treats a slip-stream of about 180 gal/min to maintain the iron concentration at a desirable 1.5-2g/L. Previously, Cananea bled off part of the electrolyte, but this is expensive, especially as it contains a cobalt additive to prevent anode corrosion.