| Description |
Electrowinning process is widely used in the production of many metals such as Cu, Ni, and Zn, and it is by nature complex and consumes a huge amount of energy. Therefore, improving the understanding on the electrowinning process and optimizing the operation have attracted great attention. Among all the researching methods, modeling and simulation are effective and economic ways to study the electrowinning process. Fortunately, the electrowinning processes of different metals share common fundamental concepts. In this dissertation, a versatile, comprehensive model was built with the same structure and general process features for Cu, Ni, and Zn. For Cu electrowinning, the current efficiency prediction was incorporated with two different methods, i.e., the empirical equation method and the side reaction kinetics method. For Ni electrowinning, the effect of electrode diaphragms on the process was included with a new method developed in this research. The influence of electrode diaphragms on operation was studied with this model. For Zn electrowinning, the model incorporated the current efficiency prediction with the calculation of both the Zn deposition reaction kinetics and the hydrogen evolution kinetics. All the models were validated with the comparison of model results and experimental data. Li isotope separation was also investigated with both experimental and numerical simulation methods. Li isotopes are important strategic resources, which are in great demand in the nuclear power industry. As predicted by the model simulation, experimental iv research confirmed the excellent Li isotope separation effect with the electrochemical separation method proposed in this dissertation. |
