Abstract: Provided are an electrolytic copper foil, and an electrode and a copper-clad laminate comprising the same. The electrolytic copper foil comprises a base copper layer having a drum side and a deposited side; wherein the electrolytic copper foil has a Charpy impact strength from 0.4 J/mm2 to 5.8 J/mm2.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the reduction of impurity metals from a refinery electrolyte solution. Certain methods comprise contacting a refinery electrolyte solution comprising an impurity metal with a phosphate ester having a structure represented by: wherein R1 comprises a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl or aryl group, and wherein the impurity metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, tin and combinations thereof.

Abstract: High purity copper having a purity of 6N or higher, wherein content of each of the respective components of P, S, 0, and C is 1 ppm or less, and nonmetal inclusions having a particle size of 0.5 ?m or more and 20 ?m or less contained in the copper are 10,000 inclusions/g or less. As a result of using high purity copper or high purity copper alloy as the raw material from which harmful P, S, C, O-based inclusions have been reduced and controlling the existence form of nonmetal inclusions, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of rupture of a bonding wire and improve the reproducibility of mechanical properties, or reduce the percent defect of a semiconductor device wiring formed by sputtering a high purity copper target with favorable reproducibility.

Abstract: A multi-element cover system for controlling acid mist in metal electrowinning or electrorefining cells is made of an electrolyte resistant material and is applied above the surface of the electrolyte and below the electrical connections of the electrodes in order to provide a continuous and substantially airtight seal above the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e., LME Grade A copper cathode or equivalent), which is advantageous.

Abstract: A metal-containing material is introduced in the container with an anode inserted therein, the container is introduced in a tank filled with an electrolyte, with a cathode opposed to it, and direct current is passed through ((+) anode and (?) cathode) to recover the desired metal.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process for removing one or more contaminants from an electrolytic solution and more particularly to a process for removing the one or more contaminants contained in an electrorefining solution using rare earth metals.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: Carbonaceous feedstock is at least partially oxidized using a concentrated metal ion solution that is regenerated in an electrochemical hydrogen gas producing process. The at least partially oxidized feedstock and/or hydrogen are then advantageously used as an energy carrier in a downstream process.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.

Abstract: Upon performing electrolysis with a solution containing nickel as the electrolytic solution, anolyte is adjusted to pH 2 to 5; impurities such as iron, cobalt and copper contained in the anolyte are eliminated by combining any one or two or more of the methods among adding an oxidizing agent and precipitating and eliminating the impurities as hydroxide, eliminating the impurities through preliminary electrolysis, or adding Ni foil and eliminating the impurities through displacement reaction; impurities are thereafter further eliminated with a filter; and the impurity-free solution is employed as catholyte to perform the electrolysis. The present invention relates to a simple method of performing electrolytic refining employing a solution containing nickel from nickel raw material containing a substantial amount of impurities, and provides technology on efficiently manufacturing high purity nickel having a purity of 5N (99.999 wt %) or more.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for producing a metal powder product using conventional electrowinning chemistry (i.e., oxygen evolution at an anode) in a flow-through electrowinning cell. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes and/or direct electrowinning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for producing a metal powder product using conventional electrowinning chemistry (i.e., oxygen evolution at an anode) in a flow-through electrowinning cell. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes and/or direct electrowinning.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e., LME Grade A copper cathode or equivalent), which is advantageous.

Abstract: A method of producing high purity electrolytic copper through halide-bath electrowinning is provided. The method includes the steps of: growing copper in dendritic form to be deposited on a cathode; and recovering growth ends of 3.0 mm or shorter from the dendrites.

Abstract: A process for recovering copper from an alkaline etch bath from an etching process in which printed boards plated with copper are etched with the alkaline etch bath and then rinsed with water, copper being removed by extraction with an organic solution, from which it is re-extracted in an acid solution. Said acid solution is passed to an operation for recovering copper, e.g. by electrolysis, but before said copper recovery a flow is diverted, in which the copper content is adjusted to a value below the value of the acid solution for copper recovery and which is used for the plating of printed boards.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist generated in a copper electrowinning method comprising adding to electrolyte from which copper is electrowon, a soluble surfactant comprising an extract from the Quillaja saponaria Molina tree.

Abstract: A process for the removal of primarily iron impurities from acidic aqueous electrolytic solutions used in the electro-winning of copper is described. Strong base Type 1 ion exchange resin is used to remove acid from the solution resulting in a treated solution that contains only a small amount the original acid but all of the dissolved salts. This low acid treated solution is then processed using standard processes such as adjustment of the pH or oxidation potential to remove the iron impurities and the solution containing valuable process cobalt is returned to the electrolyte solution to continue the extraction of copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating spent tin or tin/lead stripping solution used in the electronic industry, particularly in the manufacture of printed circuit boards or a lead frames. Said method comprises (i) electrolytically reducing copper ions in the solution to copper at a low temperature; (ii) electrolytically oxidizing Sn2+ and Pb2+ in the solution at a high temperature to form solid tin and lead oxides and hydroxides; (iii) separating solid tin and lead oxides and hydroxides from the solution; (iv) dissolving tin and lead oxides and hydroxides obtained in step (iii) in a strong alkali or acidic solution; and (v) electrolytically reducing the alkali or acidic solution obtained in step (iv) at a high temperature to recover metallic tin and lead. Also, the filtrate obtained in step (iii) above is useful for preparing fresh tin or tin/lead stripping solution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing a strip solution for removing gold from the loaded activated carbon used to accumulate such gold leached from gold bearing ore, and for electrically removing such gold from the strip solution by electrowinning. The apparatus includes a pair of strip columns fillable with loaded activated carbon. The strip columns are connectable individually and in series in respective continuous loops using a valved crossover pipe assembly to an electrowinning device, with the strip solution being pumped therethrough.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for continuously producing electrodeposited copper foil while thiourea-decomposed products remaining in copper electrolyte are removed through activated carbon treatment. Another object is to provide high-resistivity copper foil obtained through the method. The present invention further provides an electrodeposition apparatus including a path for circulating a copper sulfate solution, whereby in said path is provided a filtration means for removal of thiourea-decomposed products remaining in copper electrolyte.

Abstract: An improvement in the solvent extraction process for recovering metal values, i.e. copper, from acidic aqueous solutions containing copper and iron which may also include chloride, and more particularly to an improvement which provides for increased copper to iron ratios in the loaded organic extractant phase. The improvement comprises washing the loaded organic extractant phase prior to stripping of the copper values therefrom with an aqueous acidic wash solution containing at least a portion of electrolyte solution, wherein the wash solution or the electrolyte solution has been previously contacted with copper metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrowinning cell adapted to recover metal ions from a solution as their corresponding elementary metals. The electrowinning cell includes a reservoir and a filter in fluid communication with the reservoir. The filter is operative to receive a solution containing metal ions from a location proximate to the cathode and to retain a first portion of the solution having a first concentration of metal ions and to remove a second portion of the solution having a second concentration of metal ions lower than the first concentration. The electrowinning cell additionally includes return means operative to return the first portion of the solution to the reservoir. The present invention also relates to a method of concentrating metal ions in a solution for use in an electrochemical cell and to a system for reducing metal ions in a solution to their corresponding elementary metals.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrodeposited copper foil, comprising electrodepositing a copper foil from an electrolyte containing copper sulfate dissolved therein, in which said electrolyte contains a small amount of lead (Pb) ions, which comprises adding a salt of a metal of Group IIA of the periodic table to the electrolyte in an amount of 10 to 150 mols per mol of lead (Pb) ions contained in the electrolyte so that the lead (Pb) ions contained in the electrolyte react with the metal of Group IIA of the periodic table to thereby form an insoluble composite substance to precipitate, the insoluble composite substance followed by removing it from the electrolyte and forming an electrodeposited copper foil in the electrolyte having the lead (Pb) ions removed therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for the recovery of metal ions from metal-containing aqueous solutions using a supported liquid membrane (SLM) whereby the pH of the metal-containing solution is preferably adjusted to between 5.5 and 8 and ammonia or other weak base is present in the metal-containing solution in a concentration sufficient to form a complex between the weak base and metal ions present in the solution. The present invention permits enhanced recovery of metal in the solution without any need to adjust the pH of the solution during the SLM process.

Abstract: Process for improving recovery of copper and reducing raw material costs, from a copper-containing source by SX-EW. The process comprises the steps of mixing an acidic copper-containing PLS obtained by leaching a copper-containing source with an acidic leachant, usually sulfuric acid, with an aqueous acidic cupric chloride solution spent printed wire board etchant, to produce an acidic cupric chloride/copper sulfate-containing mixture. This mixture is subjected to SX-EW to recover the copper as copper cathode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cobalt(II) oxide containing metallic cobalt, to a process for the production thereof and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment of fluoboric electrolyte resulting from the processes of electro-extraction of metals such as copper and lead comprising a leaching stage with fluoboric acid, in order to recycle said fluoboric acid to be recirculated to said leaching stage devoid of impurities of metals such as Me=Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, Cd, characterized in that it comprises the stages of: a) treating said fluoboric electrolyte comprising Cu(BF4)2 or Pb(BF4)2 with H2S in order to precipitate CuS or PbS respectively in accordance with the reactions Cu(BF4)2+H2S=>CuS+2HBF4  (1) Pb(BF4)2+H2S=>PbS+2HBF4  (2) thus obtaining a solution of HBF4 containing the fluoborates of said metals Me, said solution being separated, b) treating said Me fluoborates with H2SO4 in accordance with the reaction 2 Me(BF4)n+n H2SO4=>Me(SO4)n+2n HBF4  (3) (where Me=Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, Cd) it being possible for said sulp

Abstract: This process treats copper concentrates, either in the form of a primary sulfide, such as chalcopyrite, or a secondary sulfide, such as chalcocite and covellite, to obtain high purity copper metal having not less than 99.99% purity. In the case of a primary sulfide, the copper concentrate is subjected to leaching and is transformed into cement or a precipitated sulfide. In the case of the secondary sulfide, the copper concentrates are subjected to leaching with ferric fluoborate and fluoboric acid. Subsequent to leaching, the solution is subjected to copper electrowinning in a diaphragm cell to deposit copper on the cathode of the diaphragm cell.

Abstract: A method of recovering antimony and bismuth from copper electrolyte comprises the steps of immersing a pure copper material in the copper electrolyte, so that the iron ions are reduced from Fe.sup.3+ ions to Fe.sup.2+ ions, using a mixture of dilute sulfuric acid and sodium chloride adjusting the acidity or acidic concentration, to selectively elute the bismuth and antimony wherein if the final concentration of bismuth is adjusted to be 0.02 g/l or less in the bismuth election, it is possible to keep the maximum concentration of bismuth in the antimony eluate in the elution of antimony after selective bismuth elution to 0.01 g/l or less.

Abstract: In a method for recovering antimony from the electrolyte of copper electro-refining process, the antimony is adsorbed on the chelating resin and is then eluted by acid. The eluate is then neutralized to recover antimony. In a conventional method, a large amount of acid and alkali is used. In the inventive eluting method, the antimony concentration in the acidic eluting solution is adjusted to 4 g/L or more in the first step and 3 g/L or less in the second step.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for the production of copper using a solvent extraction electrowinning process. Process streams formed during the process containing entrained liquids are fed to a cyclone to remove either organic extractant or water (aqueous solutions) from the stream. A raffinate stream fed to a cyclone removes entrained organic phase which organic phase may be recycled to the process. The separated raffinate stream would then typically be recycled to the copper ore leach step to form a pregnant leach solution without the loss of organic solvent and/or the environmental concerns associated with entrained solvent. In a preferred new process, mixers, preferably inline, are used in conjunction with cyclones to provide a solvent extraction electrowinning process which is continuous and efficient and the use of conventional mixers, and particularly settlers, are eliminated.

Abstract: A method of purifying a copper electrolytic solution circulated in a copper electrorefining system, wherein a portion of the solution is withdrawn and recycled to the system after purification treatment. The purification treatment includes the addition of a hydrosulfide to the withdrawn solution to generate only the necessary quantity of hydrogen sulfide gas required in the reaction. The hydrogen sulfide gas generated is utilized for purification treatment. One process comprises dividing the solution withdrawn into two portions. Sodium hydrosulfide is added to the first portion to precipitate and separate metals as sulfides. Excess sodium hydrosulfide is further added to the first portion for reaction with residual sulfuric acid in the solution to generate hydrogen sulfide gas, then contacting the second divided portion with the hydrogen sulfide gas thus produced to precipitate and separate metals in the form of sulfides. The filtrate is then recycled to an electrorefining system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for regenerating a used etchant solution, which solution contains a metal in divalent form. The apparatus includes a tank which is originally supplied with the etchant solution; a first electrolytic cell for converting solution from the tank to a solution containing a high fraction of a monovalent form of the metal; and a second electrolytic tank for plating metal from the solution containing a high fraction of the monovalent form of the metal. The details of the process of the present invention are set forth in the disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for selectively removing antimony, bismuth, or both, from acidic solution by submitting the solution to oxidizing conditions thereby causing the selective precipitation of antimony and bismuth; filtering precipitated antimony and bismuth; and submitting the oxidized solution to reducing conditions before it is returned to the electrorefining cell.

Abstract: A process for producing one or more metals from a mineral feedstock (12) is defined. The mineral is fed to a leaching apparatus (10) wherein it is contacted with electrolyte (14). The leaching apparatus has zones of decreasing oxidation potential (17, 18, 19, 20) respectively. A stream of electrolyte (14A) is removed from zone (20) and is treated to remove impurities and unwanted metals in treatment unit (25A), prior to metal recovery by electrolysis. The electrolyte after electrolysis is then returned to the leaching unit (10). A second electrolyte stream (14B) may be removed from zone (19) for recovery of additional metals. The electrolyte (14B) is treated to remove impurities and any unwanted metals in treatment unit (25B), prior to metal recovery by electrolysis. The electrolyte after electrolysis is returned to leaching unit (10). The process enables the leaching of difficult to leach minerals, including gold, and can produce one or more metals of high purity.