Purification of copper using electrolysis

• The impure copper (blister copper) yielded from the converter
• Is then molded into thick sheets
• These sheets become positive plates i.e.
• they are connected on the positive side of a electrolytic cell
• The positive side are also known as anodes in an electrolytic cell
• A thin sheet if very pure copper is used as the cathode
• This is the negative side of the electrolytic cell
• The electrolyte (liquid) is copper sulphate solution
• A current is then passed through the cell
• Copper is transferred from the anode to the cathode
• Insoluble impurities from the anode form a sludge at the bottom of the cell
• Precious minerals such as gold and silver can be recovered from the sludge

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