Electrolytic process
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An '''electrolytic process''' is the use of [[electrolysis]] industrially to refine metals or compounds at a high purity and low cost. Some examples are the [[Hall-Héroult process]] used for [[aluminium]], or the production of [[hydrogen]] from water. Electrolysis is usually done in bulk using hundreds of sheets of metal connected to an electric power source. In the production of copper, these pure sheets of copper are used as starter material for the cathodes, and are then lowered into a solution such as copper sulfate with the large anodes that are cast from impure (97% pure) copper. The copper from the anodes are electroplated on to the cathodes, while any inpurities settle to the bottom of the tank. This forms cathodes of 99.999% pure copper.
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[[Category:Industrial processes]]
[[Category:Chemical processes]]
[[Category:Hydrogen production]]