Method for producing copper and apparatus for producing copper

Abstract

A method for producing copper includes a first step of dissolving copper by adding a copper-containing material to a solution containing an oxidant, and a second step of depositing copper on a surface of a cathode by bringing a solution (A) containing the oxidant in a reduced state into contact with a solution (B) containing copper dissolved therein with a separator provided between the solution (A) and the solution (B), arranging an anode in the solution (A), arranging the cathode in the solution (B), and applying a voltage to both the electrodes, while the oxidant contained in the solution (A) is regenerated, in which the oxidant has a standard electrode potential of 1.6 V or less.

1 : A method for producing copper, comprising:
 a first step of dissolving copper by adding a copper-containing material to a solution containing an oxidant; and   a second step of depositing copper on a surface of a cathode by bringing a solution (A) containing the oxidant in a reduced state into contact with a solution (B) containing the copper dissolved therein with a separator provided between the solution (A) and the solution (B), arranging an anode in the solution (A), arranging the cathode in the solution (B), and applying a voltage to both the electrodes, while the oxidant contained in the solution (A) is regenerated,   wherein the oxidant has a standard electrode potential of 1.6 V or less.   
     
     
         2 : The method for producing copper according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant is one or more selected from the group consisting of iron ions, manganese ions, vanadium ions, and chromium ions. 
     
     
         3 : The method for producing copper according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein after the second step of depositing copper, the solution (A) in which the anode is arranged is recovered, and the solution (A) is reused as the solution containing the oxidant in the first step.   
     
     
         4 : The method for producing copper according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein after the second step of depositing copper, the solution (B) in which the cathode is arranged is recovered, and the solution (B) is reused as the solution (A) in the second step.   
     
     
         5 : The method for producing copper according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein in the first step of dissolving copper, the copper-containing material is excessively added in such a manner that all the oxidant is in a reduced state.   
     
     
         6 : The method for producing copper according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein in the second step of depositing copper, the solution (B) containing copper dissolved therein has a copper concentration of 12 g/L or more.   
     
     
         7 : An apparatus for producing copper used in the method for producing copper according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a reservoir tank for a solution containing an oxidant; at least one dissolution tank; a reservoir tank for a solution containing copper dissolved therein; an electrolytic bath; and a reservoir tank for a solution containing the oxidant in a reduced state,   wherein the electrolytic bath is partitioned with a separator into an oxidant regeneration chamber including an anode and a plating chamber including a cathode.   
     
     
         8 : The apparatus for producing copper according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one dissolution tank comprises a plurality of dissolution tanks.