PDF

Reducing Specific Energy to Shrink the Carbon Footprint in a Copper Electrowinning Facility

Eduardo P. Wiechmann, Aníbal S. Morales

2011encarbon footprintelectrowinningcurrent efficiencyspecific energycell voltage

Abstract

Language:

This paper examines various technologies and strategies aimed at reducing specific energy consumption in a copper electrowinning facility located in Zaldivar, a Barrick mining operation in Chile. The objective is to enhance the operational efficiency of the process, which traditionally consumes substantial energy and produces a significant carbon footprint. The methodology involved optimizing key variables, specifically the average cell voltage and current efficiency, while analyzing production cycles across multiple cells. Performance metrics were measured over 16 harvest cycles, producing a total of 62,400 cathodes, equating to 2,500 tons of copper. Findings revealed that implementing the tested technologies could save approximately 14,000 MWh of energy annually, leading to a reduction of 14,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. These results underscore the potential for employing targeted energy-saving strategies to significantly mitigate the environmental impact of copper production while maintaining output levels.

Download

Cite This Work

@article{b90cc418-6b78-4b2a-993b-9e57559da1c0,
  title={Reducing Specific Energy to Shrink the Carbon Footprint in a Copper Electrowinning Facility},
  author={Eduardo P. Wiechmann and Aníbal S. Morales},
  year={2011},
  language={en}
}
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Reducing Specific Energy to Shrink the Carbon Footprint in a Copper Electrowinning Facility
AU  - Eduardo P. Wiechmann
AU  - Aníbal S. Morales
PY  - 2011
LA  - en
ER  -

Similar Items

842063941 SX configuration

2026enPDF

Design for Recovery of Precious and Base

2026enPDF

Metallurgical Plant Design and Operating Strategies

David Pollard, Geoff Dunlop

The MetPlant 2008 conference focused on advancements in metallurgical processing of ores, emphasizing plant design, operation strategies, and innovati

2008enPDF

Metallurgical Plant Design and Operating Strategies

P Card, J Canterford

This document presents a collection of papers from the METPLANT 2011 conference focusing on metallurgical plant design and operating strategies. The o

2011enPDF

...

Arthur C. Reardon

This publication, edited by Arthur C. Reardon and published by ASM International®, serves as a comprehensive guide in the field of materials science.

2011enPDF

Extractive Metallurgy 2

Alain Vignes

Extractive metallurgy is a critical field that encompasses the processes involved in the extraction of valuable metals from their ores. This work serv

2011enPDF