HIGH THROUGHPUT OF CATHODE COPPER BY NEW ANODE BODY PRESS MACHINE AT ONAHAMA No.1,2 TANKHOUSE

摘要

Onahama Smelter and Refinery has been operated since 1965 and currently produces 243,000 metric tons per year of cathode copper. The Onahama tankhouse consists of conventional-type No.1 and 2 tankhouses with the capacity of 123,000 metric tons per year and No.3 tankhouse with 120,000 metric tons per year, adopting jumbo tank system, using hazelett anode respectively. In October, 1996, for the purpose of improving the anode verticality, new anode copper body press machine has been installed in No.1,2 tankhouses, by increasing Walker type anode copper weight by 35kg to 365kg. Consequently, it is possible to raise current density from 191 to 222 Nm2 and the No.1 and 2 tankhouses capacity was increased by 15,000 metric tons per year to 138,000 metric tons per year. At present, the refining capacity is 258,000 metric tons per year in total including No.3 tankhouse. This figure is the largest one in Japan.