UMMC Technical University, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia

P. Yu. Khudyakov, Head of the Chair for Automation of Technological Processes and Productions, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant, Chelyabinsk, Russia
M. S. Varganov, Head of the Technical Department
M. V. Boshnyak, Head of the Division of Reconstruction and New Equipment, e-mail: mvb@zinc.ru
V. V. Geraskin, Leading Engineer-Technologist, Technical Department

The technological process of zinc electrowinning is accompanied by regular short interelectrode short circuits, which lead to excessive energy consumption, increased wear of electrodes and deterioration of the technical and economic indicators of the process. The key causes of the phenomenon in question are: growth of metallic zinc dendrites on the cathode, deviations in the geometric parameters of the electrodes from the standard ones, short-circuiting of the electrodes with manganese sludge settling on the bottom of the electrolysis bath, and poor cleaning of the sludge on the lead-silver anodes. Before the introduction of short-circuit detection systems, their search and elimination were carried out post factum – during the process of stripping the cathode deposit and cleaning the lead-silver anodes. In addition, thermal imaging inspection of the electrode contacts was periodically performed. The specified methods of detecting short circuits do not allow for promptly identifying and promptly eliminating the listed deviations. The introduction of innovative methods of process control allows not only to reduce production costs, but also to increase equipment productivity without additional capital expenditures. The short-circuit indicator developed by specialists of the UMMC Technical University allows for contactless detection of this phenomenon and timely prevention of non-productive consumption of electrical energy. A differential method for determining the electrode in which the greatest current flows has been implemented using an accelerometer. This development has proven its suitability for operation and has reduced the identification time, as well as the time of the technological operation of eliminating the short circuit. 

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