Turkish Journal of Chemistry, Vol.22, No.2, 149-154, 1998
Recovery of copper, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, zinc and bismuth from electrolytic copper solution
An electrolytic Copper Solution (ECS) was electrolyzed using platinum electrodes. Copper was obtained in solid form. In order to precipitate Cd(II), Bi(III), As(III), Sb(III) and the rest of the Cu(II) ions, H2S gas was passed through the remaining solution. The remaining solution was evaporated to obtain metal sulphates. The sample containing metal sulphates was roasted at temperatures between 550 and 800 degrees C. Cobalt, nickel and zinc in the solid sample remained in the form of metal sulphates, while the iron in the sample was converted into Fe2O3. This solid sample was dissolved in water and filtered in order to crystallize the NiSO4. As a result of crystallization, a maximum yield of 86.2 % m as obtained. The solid containing metal sulphides (CuS, CdS, Bi2S3 and Sb2S3) was roasted at 600 degrees C for 3 hours. The roasted sample was dissolved in water and filtered. It was determined that the conversion of CuS into CuSO4 occurred, together with the conversion of CdS and Bi2S3 into CdO and Bi2O3. The samples containing CdO and Bi2O3 were then leached with 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at 50 degrees C for one hour. The extraction yield was 97%.