Abstract

Recovery of copper powder from copper chloride solution used in MoO_3 leaching process was carried out using a cementation method. Cementation is a simple and economical process, necessitating less energy compared with other recovery methods. Cementation utilizes significant difference in standard reduction potential between copper and iron under standard condition. In the present research, Cementation process variables of temperature, time, and added amount of iron scraps were optimized by using design of experiment method and individual effects on yield and efficiency of copper powder recovery were investigated using bench-scale cementation reaction system. Copper powders thus obtained from cementation process were further characterized using various analytical tools such as XRF, SEM-EDS and laser diffraction and scattering methods. Cementation process necessitated further purification of recovered copper powders and centrifugal separation method was employed, which successfully yielded copper powders of more than 99.65% purity and average 1µm in size.

• Keywords: Recovery;MoO_3 leaching solution;Copper powder;Cementation;