Removal of Cu from the nickel electrolysis anolyte using nickel thiocarbonate

摘要

In this research, a novel reagent, nickel thiocarbonate (NiCS_3), was synthesized to remove Cu from the nickel electrolysis anolyte. Through the experimental research, the effect of reagent amount of NiCS_3, reaction temperature, pH value and reaction time on the copper removal was investigated. The experimental results showed that NiCS_3 had high reaction activity, and Cu in the nickel electrolysis anolyte can be removed quick ly. With the optimal reaction conditions of reagent amount of NiCS_3 1.4-1.6 times of theoretical amount, reaction temperature of ≥60 °C, pH value of 4.0 and reaction time of 30 min, the Cu concentration was reduced to less than 3 mg/1 in the nickel electrolysis anolyte and the mass ratio of Cu/Ni in the Cu-removal precipitates exceeded 15. The result can well satisfy the production requirement of qualified electrodeposited nickel. Therefore, NiCS_3 can be used as the high-efficiency reagent to remove copper from the nickel electrolysis anolyte in the large-scale industrial production.