An Investigation of Acid Mist Formation and Suppression Mechanisms in Copper EW Plants

Abstract

During the copper electrowinning (EW) process, oxygen gas is produced on the anode and forms bubbles which rise to the surface bursting at the air/solution interface. Acid mist is released and negatively impacts workers’ health while also corroding equipment and tank house surroundings. Although there are several ways of reducing acid mist, adding anti-mist agents is the most economical method currently in use to suppress acid mist. However, the search for an environmentally friendly mist suppressant is greatly hindered by the fact that the acid mist formation as well as suppression mechanism is not fully understood. In the present research, the physical-chemical properties of the electrolyte (density, surface tension, viscosity) are characterized, particularly the effects of changing temperature and surfactant concentration. A High-Speed Video Camera (HSVC) is utilized to study the bubbles’ burst/rupture process at the solution/air interface at varying bubble diameters. The findings not only hope to clarify the mechanisms of acid mist formation and suppression but additionally help with the search for and application of an environmentally friendly anti-mist agent for copper electrowinning.