[amarnath]

Hi all,

   Can any expert here elaborate a easy and economical process or method to recover elemental copper from copper nitrate solution by chemical or electrochemical mean in details. I heared from chemistry experts here who said there is no prefect anode for nitrate solution to recover metals back i am not sure why we cant use same metals i.e copper electrodes to electrowin copper quites lot confused, Any help will be appreciated a lot.

[amarnath]

No single reply so far? Is forums is so inactive or dead for any specific reasons???

[hmx9123]

Well, first, your question is kind of vague and would take an entire encyclopedia article to answer.  Secondly, some of your question makes no sense:

"why we cant use same metals i.e copper electrodes to electrowin copper quites lot confused"

This is not even close to a sentence and I have no idea what it is asking.

Yes, there are ways to recover copper from a solution.  When you put the 'easy and economical' tag on it, and then ask for details, I would wager that very few people in the world would have the detailed knowledge to help you with it, and if they did, it would be propriatary and they wouldn't choose to.

So, if you want a reply, make your question very specific, and then make sure it makes sense.

[amarnath]

Well, first, your question is kind of vague and would take an entire encyclopedia article to answer.  Secondly, some of your question makes no sense:

"why we cant use same metals i.e copper electrodes to electrowin copper quites lot confused"

This is not even close to a sentence and I have no idea what it is asking.

Yes, there are ways to recover copper from a solution.  When you put the 'easy and economical' tag on it, and then ask for details, I would wager that very few people in the world would have the detailed knowledge to help you with it, and if they did, it would be propriatary and they wouldn't choose to.

So, if you want a reply, make your question very specific, and then make sure it makes sense.

  ok to be simple my question is how to recover metallic copper from copper nitrate solution by chemical or electrochemical means.

[hmx9123]

Chemically, you should be able to reduce copper(I) or copper(II) to copper metal with a more active metal.  Find an electromotive series and choose a more active metal; the possibilities are limitless.

Electrochemically, you should be able to reduce the copper(I) or copper(II) to copper metal by passing enough current through the solution to reduce it.  It may be power intensive, but you can always use a renewable energy source (like solar, water, etc.).

For a good review of such things, go to your local university library and look through the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Technology under copper and also under electrochemistry.  It should give you a good overview and some leading references.

[amarnath]

Chemically, you should be able to reduce copper(I) or copper(II) to copper metal with a more active metal.  Find an electromotive series and choose a more active metal; the possibilities are limitless.

Electrochemically, you should be able to reduce the copper(I) or copper(II) to copper metal by passing enough current through the solution to reduce it.  It may be power intensive, but you can always use a renewable energy source (like solar, water, etc.).

For a good review of such things, go to your local university library and look through the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Technology under copper and also under electrochemistry.  It should give you a good overview and some leading references.

Dear hmx,
 
        Thanks for some clues but my local library is not that resource intensive as i live in small town in India, Any way i will try my best to find some materials online and some solution to my problem , keep up good works

[the_little_angel]

I think there are a lot of more active metals than Copper like iron, Zinc, Magnesium, etc... to push copper out of the solution and replace it.

[UnintentionalChaos]

Do you know how much copper is in solution? If so, calculate the molar equivalent of aluminum and add that much aluminum foil. Otherwise, just go slowly and stop when the solution is almost clear. Copper will collect in the bottom of the container as reddish flakes or paste. I don't think the aluminum oxide layer should pose a problem here.

If the aluminum wont react, a trace of chloride ions will start the reaction.