Abstract:
Continuous quality improvement by applying statistical process control has been long recognized in the processing industry. Effectively monitoring and controlling of process variability can result in sustained process stability and maximized process efficiencies. The electrowinning process is an energy-intensive process, and the cost of electrical energy is ever increasing. The effectiveness of utilizing electrical energy in the electrowinning process is best measured by current efficiency. Although substantial research has been done to improve current efficiency, no evidence on improving current efficiency from a quality perspective or by applying statistical process control has been found in the reviewed literature. This identified knowledge/research gap needs to be filled.
This research project intends to contribute to the existing knowledge by filling the identified knowledge/research gap. The research aims to design a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency. The objectives of the research are as follow: (i) to explore factors that influence current efficiency, (ii) to evaluate the factor that has the most significant effect on current efficiency, by applying statistical process control, and (iii) to develop a continuous quality improvement framework for improving current efficiency, by applying statistical process control.
A sequential mixed research methodology was applied in this research. In this case, a qualitative research approach was followed by a quantitative research approach. Questionnaires were utilized to establish factors influencing current efficiency and best practices for improving current efficiency. The quantitative research approach was accomplished by collecting and analyzing electrolyte samples and instrument data. This is in addition to gathering historical data from an instrument database and analytical laboratory database. The established research strategy includes exploring current efficiency factors, analyzing historical data, establishing current efficiency improvement best practice and finally designing a continuous quality improvement framework for improving electrowinning current efficiency.
