Procedure to inhibit or eliminate acid gas generated in process of electrowinning of copper

Abstract

A method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist generated in a copper electrowinning method comprising adding to electrolyte from which copper is electrowon, a soluble surfactant comprising an extract from the Quillaja saponaria Molina tree.

1 . A method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist generated in a copper electrowinning method comprising adding to electrolyte from which copper is electrowon, a soluble surfactant comprising an extract from the  Quillaja saponaria  Molina tree.  
     
     
         2 . The method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist according to  claim 1 , wherein the derivative from the  Quillaja saponaria  Molina tree contains a triterpenic saponin.  
     
     
         3 . The method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist according to  claim 2 , wherein said quillaja extract contains an heterogeneous mixture of triterpenic saponins, having a triterpenic core with sugar chains bonded to carbons 3 and 28 of the triterpene.  
     
     
         4 . The method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist according to  claim 1 , wherein the extract is added in an amount of 0.3 to 10.0 ppm based on triterpenic saponins, to the copper electrolyte.  
     
     
         5 . The method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist according to  claim 1 , wherein the extract decreases surface tension of the electrolyte to values below 65 dynes/cm at a temperature range of the electrolyte of 30° C. to 50° C.  
     
     
         6 . The method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist according to  claim 3 , wherein the extract decreases surface tension of the electrolyte to values below 65 dynes/cm at a temperature range of the electrolyte of 30° C. to 50° C.  
     
     
         7 . The method for inhibiting or suppressing acid mist according to  claim 2 , wherein the extract contains a triterpenic saponin of the formula  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 R 1  is a saccharide,  
 R 2  is H or a saccharide  
 R 3  is H  
 R 4  is acyl or a saccharide, and  
 R 4 ′ is a saccharide,