LATERALFLOW

A CONCEPT TO CONTROL ACID MIST, ORGANIC REMOVAL, HEIGHT OF DEPOSITION AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR ELECTRO-WINNING CELLS
F. Penna C. Villaseca R. Villarroel

Tecnocomposites S.A.

ORGANIC ENTRAINMENTS
THE PROBLEM Organic entrainments are undesired events It impregnates over cathodes, structures and equipments Is flamable so increasing fire risk Organic burn is present on cathodes thus impairing the stripping

ORGANIC ENTRAINMENTS
A SOLUTION FOR ACID MIST THAT TURNS INTO A PROBLEM Organic adhere to plastic balls additional procedure for washing balls

ORGANIC REMOVAL
CURRENTLY USED TECHNIQUES Scavenger cells Pumping from surface of cells

Manual removal

Absorbent cloths

ORGANIC REMOVAL
CURRENTLY USED TECHNIQUES

Spilling due to electrolyte overflow

LATERALFLOW
SUMMARY

A gutter along the entire cell integrated to the frame of the LateralVex Two gutters connected to a collector located at the cells overflow A device that can be easily mounted into new or existing cells Control of electrolyte level and/or heigth of copper deposition Cascade effect produced by the overflow at both sides Control of acid mist in the cell

LATERALFLOW
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Stack Electrolytic Cell

Centrifugal Fan Wet Scrubber

Transport Ducts

LATERALFLOW
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Suction Plenum (LateralVex)

Guide

Multiple Covers Lateral overflow gutter (LateralFlow)

LATERALFLOW
MAIN COMPOUNDS
Suction Plenum (LateralVex)

Lateral overflow gutter (LateralFlow)

Overflow collector

LATERALFLOW
Anode

MAIN COMPOUNDS

Cover

Guide

Cathode

Flexible cover

LATERALFLOW
WORKING PRINCIPLE
Suction Plenum

Overflow through lateral gutter

LATERALFLOW
WORKING PRINCIPLE

Once in lateral gutters the organic is transferred to the sump

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TEST IN EW PLANT

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TEST IN EW PLANT

LATERALFLOW
TEST IN EW PLANT

Cathodes harvested in a cell without our technology

Non linear edge

LATERALFLOW
TEST IN EW PLANT

Cathodes harvested in a cell with LateralFlow

Clean linear edge

LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT

LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT

Overview

Top of cell view

LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT
Do not require additional handling during harvest Clean cathodes Less organic for removing

High quality and easy strip

LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT

Effectiveness to confine and to capture acid mist

LATERALFLOW
SIERRA MIRANDA EW PLANT

Organic entrainments are evacuated by lateral gutters

LATERALFLOW
CONCLUSIONS

Uniform overflow by short distance Improve electrolyte distribution around the plates (*) Homogeneous deposition throughout the length of the cell (*) Organic entrainments and other floating impurities are quickly removed Better control of heigth of deposition Acid mist is successfully controlled at the source
(*) In study

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GRATITUDE

Minera Sierra Miranda SCM