Abstract Efficient electrowinning is critical for industrial tellurium (Te) production. To overcome the bottlenecks of a low production rate and low recovery in conventional processes, Te electrowinning tests with three different current densities were conducted in an industrial pilot-scale cyclone electrowinning cell. A numerical simulation of the flow field and electric field in the electrowinning cell was undertaken and the results were visualized by finite-element analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics. The cathode Te purity and production parameters were compared with those of the traditional technology. The numerical simulations and pilot-scale test results indicated that the electrolyte flow rate near the cathode wall remained above 0.15 m·s−1 because of the high flow velocity at the base. A feasible condition for Te electrowinning with high current densities was provided based on the electrode reaction kinetics. Te was deposited stably at a large scale and at high current densities up to 200 A·m−2. Efficient Te electrowinning was achieved with a high current efficiency of 97.1% on an industrial scale. The production rate was increased from 0.88 kg·m−2·d−1 to 5.04 kg·m−2·d−1 and the final electrolyte concentration was reduced from 80 g·L−1 to 30 g·L−1. A 2 N Te product was obtained with a recovery of 85.22%, and the Te purity after casting increased to 4 N. The excessive current density at the edge of the cathode sheet that was caused by the edge effect resulted in the formation of prominent nodules. The cathode sheet disintegrated because of an excessive deposition current and uneven edge current density.

中文翻译：

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试点研究：通过旋风电积技术从碱性溶液中高效电积碲

摘要 高效电解沉积对于工业碲 (Te) 生产至关重要。为克服传统工艺生产率低、回收率低的瓶颈，在工业中试规模的旋风电积电解槽中进行了三种不同电流密度的Te电积试验。对电解槽中的流场和电场进行了数值模拟，并使用 COMSOL Multiphysics 通过有限元分析对结果进行了可视化。将阴极 Te 纯度和生产参数与传统技术进行了比较。数值模拟和中试试验结果表明，由于底部的高流速，阴极壁附近的电解液流速保持在 0.15 m·s-1 以上。基于电极反应动力学提供了高电流密度Te电积的可行条件。Te 在高达 200 A·m-2 的高电流密度下大规模稳定沉积。在工业规模上以 97.1% 的高电流效率实现了高效的 Te 电解沉积。生产率从 0.88 kg·m-2·d-1 增加到 5.04 kg·m-2·d-1，最终电解液浓度从 80 g·L-1 降低到 30 g·L-1。得到2 N Te产品，回收率为85.22%，浇铸后Te纯度提高到4 N。 边缘效应导致正极片边缘电流密度过大，形成突出的结瘤. 由于沉积电流过大和边缘电流密度不均匀，阴极板破裂。