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Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Removal of Arsenic Using a Cationic Polymer Gel Impregnated with Iron Hydroxide
Published on: June 28, 2019
Arsenic removal procedure for the electrolyte from a hydro-pyrometallurgical complex
D C Paz-Gómez1, S M Pérez-Moreno1, M J Gázquez2
1Department of Integrated Sciences, Research Centre on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21007, Huelva, Spain.
This study presents a new method to dissolve electrolyte sludge (ES) from copper refining, effectively removing harmful arsenic (As) and recovering valuable copper (Cu). This process purifies copper production and reduces waste.
Area of Science:
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Copper (Cu) refining involves electrorefining, which generates electrolyte sludge (ES) containing impurities like arsenic (As).
- Recirculation of ES back into the process leads to arsenic accumulation, decreasing copper quality and posing environmental concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient procedure for dissolving electrolyte sludge.
- To remove arsenic from the sludge and recover valuable copper content.
Main Methods:
- Optimized dissolution of ES in a sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) medium.
- Arsenic removal via precipitation as iron (III) arsenate.
- Copper recovery through precipitation as copper sulfate.
Main Results:
- Achieved over 99% dissolution efficiency for electrolyte sludge.
- Successfully removed over 70% of arsenic from the solution.
- Enabled copper recovery as copper sulfate for various applications.
Conclusions:
- The developed procedure effectively purifies copper electrolyte sludge by removing arsenic.
- This method allows for the recovery of copper, contributing to a more sustainable copper refining process.
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