What is Electrowinning?
'''Electrowinning''' is a [[manufacturing]] process for making metals from a solution containing dissolved metal. The process involves passing an [[Electric current|electrical current]] from an inert [[electrode]] through the solution containing the metal, to plate the metal to another electrode. Also called [[electroplating]], it is a common process for producing metals like copper, cobalt, nickel, [[zinc]], aluminum, and gold among others. Electrowinning is one of the last processes in metal production. It commonly follows leaching which is a process that dissolves [[Mineral|minerals]] into a solution. == Process == The electrical current is passed from the inert electrode, called the anode, and passes through the metal containing solution, called the [[electrolyte]], and the metal is plated on another electrode, called the cathode. The ability to plate a metal depends on the reduction potential. The reduction potential depends on the many factors such as the metal in question, the solution [[temperature]], the [[pH]] of the solution and other factors. The rate at which the metal can be produced depends on the amount of current being passed through the solution. == Industry == Industrially the process is made up of a square cathode with equal sized anodes on each side so that the metal can be plated evenly on both sides of the cathode. A cell consists of alternating anodes and cathodes, starting and ending with anodes. A production plant consists of many cells allowing for production of lots of metal. [[Category:Chemical processes]] [[Category:Metallurgy]]