Electrowinning
also known as EW · electroextraction
Electrowinning passes a direct current between an inert anode and a cathode immersed in a purified metal-bearing electrolyte. Metal ions are reduced at the cathode and plate out as solid metal, while water is oxidised at the anode to release oxygen and regenerate acid. Unlike electrorefining, the feed is a leach or strip solution rather than an impure metal anode.
Why it matters in practice
Electrowinning is the step that converts a purified solution into a saleable metal product, so its current efficiency and cell voltage directly set the energy cost per tonne. Because the feed must be clean, electrowinning performance is really a measure of how well the preceding purification steps did their job.
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Calculators that use this
Equipment referenced in this entry
Stainless Steel Cathode Plate
6 Specifications · cathode plate
Titanium Cathode Plate
7 Specifications · cathode plate
Related terms
Reference entry GL-ELECTROWINNING. Definitions on this page describe engineering practice in hydrometallurgical process design; they are not a substitute for test work on your own material.