Experimental studies on impurity particle behavior in electrolyte and the associated distribution on the cathode in the process of copper electrorefining

•A three factor 2-level designed set of copper electrorefining experiments was performed.•The flow rate–temperature interaction plays a significant role in the process.•The inlet flow rate exerts the most significant effect on the impurity particle concentration on the cathode.•Temperature has negative effect and current density has positive effect on the concentration of impurity on the cathode.•The current density has more impact on both impurities concentrations at corner positions than at the center position.

A three factor 2-level designed set of experiments was performed to determine the effects of inlet flow rate, temperature, and current density on impurity particle behavior in electrolyte and the associated distribution on the cathode in copper electrorefining. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to measure the concentration of impurities on the cathode. The results of the experiments were statistically analyzed using Minitab. The inlet flow rate was identified as the most significant factor. All three factors and their two-factor interactions have a significant effect on impurity concentration on the cathode. The impurity concentrations in corner positions of cathodes had higher impurity levels than those in the center position of cathodes. The current density exerts more effect on both impurity concentrations at corner positions than at the center position. A possible explanation for the phenomena observed is proposed.