Electrochemistry making 9 litre silver cell

[sena]

hi all , experimenting with 9 litre cell for refining silver , so my equipments are cathode size 2* 5''* 6" = 60sq inches, anode size 2* 5"*3"*.75=33sq inches ,still holding to get some advice regarding the power source , the electrolyte i prepared would be 100grams of silver per litre, i have to show some pictures what i have done so far ,please comment

Thanks
sena

 

[element47.5]

I am not an expert on silver cells, but the one thing I can assure you, you're going to need a massively more powerful power supply, much, much bigger. 1 amp is nothing, the scale of what you are projecting is more like 20 amps, though I guess you could run the thing for weeks...but I can only assume you are operating on this larger scale in order to handle larger anodes and larger deposition rates, and for that you will need LOTS more power. (There are calculations for this available on the forum which I am not doing here, I am only eyeballing your proposed setup) It's like you have a Chevy and are proposing to put a lawn mower engine it.

I will admit I am confused as to your power source. It says "1 amp" but the dial goes up to 12.5 (which could certainly get you going) And it's made by "Esso" an obviously automotive battery charger but then why would it say "1 amp"? If that source goers to 12.5 amps, that could work for you.

Secondly, I would imagine that if your anode basket is only a little smaller than your overall container, as it appears from your pix, your anode of course is going to sit at the bottom of that container and will thus be very close to your cathode. I'd therefore imagine that you would be in greater danger of having the crystal growth on the cathode grow to where it shorts out to the anode much quicker than would occur if you have a smaller anode basket. The cells I have seen posted have a much smaller anode basket than what you are proposing.

 

[sena]

hi element , the distance between anode and cathode will be 4.5 inches i have placed the empty basket and took some measure, and power i require is 0.35 to 0.4 amps per square inch of anode area, as the silver cell parameters data given by Lazer Steve,my anode anode size 2* 5"*3"*.75=33sq inches, so the rectifier would need is 16.5 amps .Anode to cathode DC voltage optimum range 3 to 4.4 volts, today would buy an variable rectifier.
thanks
Sena

 

[Oz]

It looks to me that you are building a Thum cell that holds an anode flat in a basket. I am confused by some of your math though. Looking at your pictures your anode appears to be 3 x 5 inches on the bottom face giving you 15 square inches. I would calculate the amperage you require (if buying a larger replacement power supply) at .5 amps per square inch of anode face. This means you will not be pushing the unit to its maximum all the time.

It is worth you knowing that silver cells are slow unless you can afford to tie up a lot of silver in your electrolyte and large anodes. The most refined silver you will get in production is 4 grams per amp/hour.

 

[sena]

It looks to me that you are building a Thum cell that holds an anode flat in a basket. I am confused by some of your math though. Looking at your pictures your anode appears to be 3 x 5 inches on the bottom face giving you 15 square inches. I would calculate the amperage you require (if buying a larger replacement power supply) at .5 amps per square inch of anode face. This means you will not be pushing the unit to its maximum all the time.

It is worth you knowing that silver cells are slow unless you can afford to tie up a lot of silver in your electrolyte and large anodes. The most refined silver you will get in production is 4 grams per amp/hour.

Hi Oz , the anode will be immersed completely , one side is 15 square inch X 2sides thats 30 square inches adding the side area would total 33 square inches so i amp required would be 16to 17 amps, me correct me if aim wrong

Thanks

 

[Oz]

I maintain a depth of electrolyte no more than .25 inches in my anode basket. In my opinion submerging your anode in a Thum cell will not increase your production significantly, but I have never tried it. If you wish both sides of your anode to be “active” you should build a cell that you can hang your anode in a bag submerged in your electrolyte with a cathode on both sides. Then you would calculate 3 x 5 x 2 = 30 square inches.

 

[sena]

The cell running ....Thanks OZ...

 

[element47.5]

Looks pretty good, from what I can see. Congratulations on using a PC power supply, I think that is an excellent idea, inexpensive, and the 3.3 volt part of the supply can supply quite a few amps. Keep us apprised!

 

[sena]

Looks pretty good, from what I can see. Congratulations on using a PC power supply, I think that is an excellent idea, inexpensive, and the 3.3 volt part of the supply can supply quite a few amps. Keep us apprised!

Thanks brother ,the power supply idea was from the forum.

 

[goldsilverpro]

Looks cloudy. Are you bagging the anode? If not, you are likely contaminating the crystal.

 

[sena]

Looks cloudy. Are you bagging the anode? If not, you are likely contaminating the crystal.

yes GSP , but there was a leak initially in the bag , sure will use double layer next time .the hard part was cleaning the sludge from the bag for the next cycle.

Thanks

 

[element47.5]

Yes, I spoke too soon, GSP is quite correct, cloudiness of the electrolyte is not a good sign.

http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=8589&p=80255&hilit=kadriver#p80255 In this picture, graciously shared by kadriver, you see both the clear solution (ideal, not what you will see starting with dirty anodes) and the bag around the anode.

http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=8589&hilit=kadriver&start=20 In this picture, you'll see the blue-green color of the solution, which is normal and gets darker as more of the anode is consumed and more copper enters solution. You can also see the black residues that the anode bag is supposed to keep out of solution.