ISSN: 1945-7553
Page Count: 5

Sampling of Electrorefined Copper Cathodes

Tuddenham, WM
Analytical services director, Utah Copper Division; refinery process control supervisor, Utah Copper Division; and, scientist, Process, Technology, Kennecott Minerals Co., Salt Lake City,Utah

Dangerfield, AD
Analytical services director, Utah Copper Division; refinery process control supervisor, Utah Copper Division; and, scientist, Process, Technology, Kennecott Minerals Co., Salt Lake City,Utah

McMillan, BB
Analytical services director, Utah Copper Division; refinery process control supervisor, Utah Copper Division; and, scientist, Process, Technology, Kennecott Minerals Co., Salt Lake City,Utah

Abstract

Problems involved in the sampling of electrorefined cathode production in a typical refinery are examined. Items discussed include: nonhomogeneity in single cathodes, nonhomogeneity among cathodes from the same electrolytic cell, nonhomogeneity among cathodes from single production lots, and limitations of visual examination in predicting cathode quality. Ordinary sampling procedures involving one or two cathodes are shown to be totally inadequate for obtaining true measures of the average impurity contents from a shipping lot. Suggestions for sampling frequency drawn from the experience of the study are presented.

Keywords:
quality control, sampling reliability, product development quality, copper cathodes, product specifications

Paper ID: JTE11607J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11607J
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