| abstract |
An improved process is described for the recovery of copper from an aqueous feed solution using solvent extraction and electrowinning in which the electrowinning is conducted in a first step wherein the electrolyte is flowing perpendicular to the cathode surface without auxiliary mixing of the electrolyte between electrodes, and a second step wherein the electrolyte is flowing parallel to the cathode surface. In a second embodiment, solvent extraction of copper and solvent extraction of acid are conducted in alternate steps to allow more complete recovery of copper. |