Question

What is the purpose of electro refining?

Answer 1

Elements are arranged in a tabular form called periodic table and there are 115 elements present in the periodic table. There are similarities as well as differences in the properties of these elements. On the basis of these properties elements can be divided into metals and non-metals.

Complete answer:
Metals are exist freely in nature so many impurities are present in them so it is very important to purify them. The main purpose of electrorefining is to purify the metals. To understand how this process occurs we first know about electrolysis.
Electrolysis is the process in which an electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical change is explained in the way in which the substance loses or gains an electron i.e. oxidation or reduction takes place. The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell an apparatus which consists of positive and negative electrodes held apart and dipped into a solution containing positively and negatively charged ions.
The metals like copper, silver, lead etc are generally purified by the process known as electrolysis. In electro-refining the pure metal acts as cathode and impure metal acts as the anode whereas the electrolyte is soluble salt of the same metal. By passing the electricity the pre metal from anode is deposited over the cathode. The impurities are settled as anode mud.
Hence this metal gets pure by electrorefining process.

Note:
Electric current i.e. electrons enters through the negatively charged electrode known as cathode and components of the solution travel to cathode further combine with the electrons and are reduced and if components of the solution travel to the other electrode called anode then it gets oxidized.