Geometric Surface Inspection for Stainless Steel Cathode Plates and Copper Cathodes

The targets for copper producers during the electrolytic refining step are reaching high current efficiency, low specific energy consumption, and a good copper cathode quality. With the new CQS (Copper Quality System) measurement system these values can be influenced positively. Two different applications of this system are presented. One application of the CQS is online copper cathode quality evaluation. By installing this system nearby the stripping machine, an online measurement of the copper cathode quality is provided. The copper cathode quality can be judged and marked according to the customer's quality criterions. Another application of the CQS is the measurement of stainless steel cathode plates. Reaching high current efficiency is always a target in electrorefining. Many different parameters are influencing this process value: besides chemical and physical anode quality, electrolyte conditions, and inhibitors, also the shape of the stainless steel plate has a decisive influence. With the CQS measurement system the geometry and shape of the stainless steel plates are measured continuously. The measurements include the extent of bending of the plates, possible damages and canting. If a defined value is reached it is possible to reject the stainless steel plate, so that it can be repaired or replaced.