Conti-M®: cathode manufacturing with rolled starter sheet
In the manufacture of copper cathodes a starter sheet is needed. Traditionally, these were either manufactured by electrolysis from copper, or one made use of steel starter sheet (Mount ISA / Kidd Creek).
The cost basis of the Conti-M® enables the economic use of rolled copper starter sheet, manufactured from cold-rolled strip in a special shaping plant. Thanks to its perfect geometry, this enables a higher packing density and current density than electrolytic products created from copper starter sheet. In conventional electrolysis, without any further investment, capacity increases of 15-20% can be targeted.
Compared to the Kidd Creek or ISA processes, MKM's technology with rolled starter sheet has the following advantages:
- no permanent starter sheet is needed.
- the very smooth surface of the rolled starter sheet leads to higher technical purity of the cathodes
- longer cathode cycles lead to higher cathode weights and reduce crane cycles.
- Higher power utilization.
Several mining concerns have successfully tested our starter sheet. One electrolysis procedure has already been introduced, others are in preparation.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 May 2012
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