Outline the principles of refining of metals by Electrolytic refining methods

Electrolytic refining works on the principle of refining impure metals by the use of electricity. In Electrolytic refining, the impure metal is made the anode and a strip of pure metal is made as the cathode. A solution of a soluble salt of the same metal is taken as the electrolyte. When an electric current is passed, metal ions from the electrolyte are deposited at the cathode as a pure metal and the impure metal from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte in the form of ions. The impurities present in the impure metal gets collected below the anode. This is called as the anode mud.