The geometry and configuration of industrial copper electrolytic cells have not been changed since the first copper tankhouse operation in Europe in 1865, despite tremendous efforts made in impurity control for copper product quality. In order to improve cell performance, an innovative copper electrolytic cell was designed and simulated using a finite element method, which was further validated by experimental tests. The inlet and outlet design of the innovative cell is different from that of conventional electrolytic cells. Electrolyte flows from the top inlets directly to the cell domain between the electrodes and then exit the cell through the outlet at the cell bottom. From the simulation results, the transport of copper ions in the cell is efficient, leading to relatively uniform distribution of copper ions and a thin copper depletion zone. Density gradient driven looping flows in the inter-electrode gap decline significantly and upward flows are restricted within a narrow region in front of the cathode. Forced downward flows become dominant in the innovative cell especially near the anode bottom, which directs slime particles released from both the anode and the inlets to settle down, rather than remain suspended in the electrolyte as potential sources of cathode contamination. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.