ELECTROLYSIS

[blingelvis]

Curiously, how do I reclaim copper using electrolysis.

 

[sciguyjim]

If the copper is in the form of copper sulfate in water, just placing a piece of zinc metal into the solution will cause the copper to plate out on the zinc. The zinc will dissolve into the solution. The reaction will stop when the copper and/or zinc has been depleted, or if the zinc gets so coated with copper that its surface area exposed to the solution gets very low. Other metals can work also. They must be more reactive than copper, for example magnesium.

Also, you can run a small direct current through your solution of copper salt and plate the copper on the negative electrode. How shiny, flaky, etc. the copper plate is depends on a number of factors. As a simple rule of thumb, the slower you plate it the better.

 

[nbucska]

use Fe (small particles/chips) Cheapest and probably the least poisonous. <nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[BarryMartin]

There are systems available for using electrolysis to deposit copper from solution onto a cathode. Typically the anode is an insoluble precious metal and the cathode is a reticulated copper foam that provides a high surface area for good cathodic current efficiency.

RETEC is a brand name of such a system. Do a search using this brand name. It is sold by US Filter.