Lead and Bismuth Removal From Copper Cathode Using a Granulation Machine
Lead and bismuth are two of the most common pollutants in the production of cathode copper. When these two metals are present in the copper, they can have a negative impact on the overall quality of the product and can even cause a significant increase in production costs. Therefore, it is important to remove as much lead and bismuth from the copper as possible. One way of removing these metals is through a granulation process.
Granulation machines are used to separate the lead and bismuth from the copper by passing a molten material through a granulation chamber. The molten material enters the chamber and is rapidly cooled by a cooling system installed into the chamber. The cooling process causes the lead and bismuth to solidify and settle at the bottom of the chamber, while the copper remains in its liquid state, allowing it to be removed from the chamber.
The cooling process used in the granulation machine is critical for successful lead and bismuth removal. The cooling rate should be high enough to solidify the lead and bismuth without causing the copper to solidify as well. A combination of cooling systems may be used, such as a high-pressure water jet and a cooling fan, to tailor the cooling rate to achieve the desired results.
In addition to the cooling system, the granulation chamber may also be fitted with an agitation system. This system consists of a series of stirrers or paddles that are used to move the molten material around inside the chamber. The stirring action helps to break up any clusters of lead and bismuth that may be present and to ensure that all of the material is thoroughly cooled and available for removal from the chamber.
When the lead and bismuth have been cooled and separated from the copper, they can then be removed from the chamber and separated from the copper. The lead and bismuth can be collected into separate containers and stored or disposed of as needed. The remaining copper can then be melted down and recycled or sold as required.
The granulation process is a reliable and cost-effective way to remove lead and bismuth from copper cathode. By controlling both the cooling rate and stirring rate within the chamber, the efficiency of the process can be maximized to ensure that lead and bismuth are removed from the copper as much as possible. With the correct setup and operation, the quality of the copper can be much improved and production costs can be reduced.
