Anode structure for copper electrowinning

Abstract

An electrode for use in producing copper in either a conventional electrowinning cell or the direct electrowinning cell is provided. The electrode includes a hanger bar and an electrode body coupled with the hanger bar. The electrode body includes at least one conductor rod having a core and an outer layer surrounding the core and a substrate coupled with the conductor rod.

1 . An electrode comprising:
 a conductor bar having a recess;   a conductor rod comprising a core clad in a valve metal and an attachment portion having an exposed core; and   wherein the conductor rod is press fit into the recess.   
     
     
         2 . The electrode according to  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate coupled to the conductor rod. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the core is selected from the group consisting of copper and aluminum. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve metal is titanium. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode according to  claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises titanium. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode according to  claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises an electrochemically active coating. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode according to  claim 6 , wherein the electrochemically active coating comprises a mixture of tantalum oxide and iridium oxide. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode according to  claim 7 , wherein the substrate comprises a titanium mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the conduct bar is a hanger bar. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode according to  claim 9 , wherein the hanger bar has a steerhead configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is tapered. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode according to  claim 1 , further comprising a seal disposed at the interface of the attachment portion and the conductor bar. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode according to  claim 12 , wherein the seal comprises at least one of a compressible ring, a polymeric ring and a grommet. 
     
     
         14 . A method for constructing an electrode comprising:
 exposing a core at a first end of a conductor rod, wherein the conductor rod comprises the core clad in a valve metal; and   press fitting the first end of the conductor rod into a recess of a conductor bar.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising coupling a substrate to the conductor rod. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising coating a portion of a surface of the substrate with an electrochemically active coating. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising disposing a seal at the junction between the conductor rod and the conductor bar. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising capping a distal end of the conductor rod.