electrorefining


electrorefining

[i¦lek·trō·ri′fīn·iŋ] (chemical engineering) Petroleum refinery process for light hydrocarbon streams in which an electrostatic field is used to assist in separation of chemical treating agents (acid, caustic, doctor) from the hydrocarbon phase. (metallurgy) Purifying metals by electrolysis using an impure metal as anode from which the pure metal is dissolved and subsequently deposited at the cathode. Also known as electrolytic refining.