Outokumpu Oy

Seppo V Rantapuska

Seppo O Heimala

Kari M Saloheimo

The invention relates to a method for measuring and adjusting electrochemical potential and/or component content in the process of treating valuable materials, when the valuable materials should be recovered either together or separately by aid of the values of the recovery range defined on the basis of electrochemical potential and component control. According to the invention, the measuring of electrochemical potential and/or component content is carried out by means of at least one electrode (4, 5), advantageously by means of a mineral electrode, so that in order to regulate the physicochemical state of the electrode and/or to remove the coating layer formed on the electrode surface and in order to protect the electrode, onto the electrode there is switched a supply voltage differing from the electrochemical balance potential of the electrode, which supply voltage is switched off before starting the measuring operation.

Method for measuring and adjusting electrochemical potential and/or

A stripping analysis method comprises a preelectrolysis step during which liquid to be analyzed is introduced into a measurement cell at a pulsating rate, a working electrode is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency, and the voltage potential between the working electrode and a reference electrode is adjusted to a level which allows the substances to be determined to be deposited on the working electrode. After the preelectrolysis step is a stripping step during which the voltage potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is scanned through the potential range where the substances to be determined are dissolved back to the liquid and current is measured while the liquid in the measurement cell remains essentially undisturbed. The method also comprises an elimination step during which the voltage potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is adjusted to a level at which the working electrode is regenerated. The products of the measurement step are removed from the cell by vibrating the working electrode at an ultrasonic frequency and thereby disturbing the liquid in the cell, and introducing liquid into the cell at a non-pulsating rate and thereby displacing liquid from the cell.

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Espoo, Finland

Seppo V Rantapuska