Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation

Keming Zhou

David B George

Eugene You

Antonio Berges-Dreyfous

Daniel Kang Kim

Roger Roth

Minyan Ruan

Eugene Yanjun You

A system, device, and method include a cell-powered first electronic device powered using electrical potential imposed across an electrolytic cell. The potential is voltage-boosted to accomplish this task. If the electrical potential imposed the cell is insufficient, the device can also be battery-powered. In any event, this device is in communication with one or more sensors in the electrolytic cell, as well as a second electronic device, and the first and second electronic devices wirelessly communicate. More specifically, the first electronic device wireless transmits data signals to the second electronic device, which receives the same. The first and second electronic devices are physically remote from one another, and they communicating over a private or public network, preferably using spread spectrum technology. In addition, the second electronic device also preferably transmits data signals to a computer for further processing of the data signals, and these arrangements can be used, for example, when producing copper.

Wireless electrolytic cell monitoring powered by ultra low bus voltage

For an electrolytic cell, an apparatus and method are described that use one or more sensors to measure magnetic field strength about a conductor carrying electrical current. A processor is in electrical communication with the sensors and determines a compensated magnetic field strength based on the magnetic fields of other conductors that also carry electrical current to or from the electrolytic cell. The processor uses this compensated magnetic field strength to determine the cathode electrical current carried by the conductor and to identify open and short circuits between the anodes and cathodes of the cell. The described apparatus and method account for interactions between the magnetic fields of the neighboring cathodes.

Monitoring electrolytic cell currents

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Keming Zhou