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Lead dioxide-plated titanium anode for electrowinning metals from acid solutions.

Higley LW Jr.; Dressel WM; Cole ER Jr.

Rolla, MO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI 8111, 1976 Jan; :1-10

10007644

Electrowinning metals from solutions leached from low-grade ores is becoming an increasingly important extraction method as the metal industry turns to pollution-free recovery processes. Lead-alloy anodes are used industrially in the electrolytic recovery of zinc and copper. However, associated with the use of these anodes are the inherent problems of stability and lead contamination of the cathode. In an effort to eliminate these problems, the Bureau of Mines has developed a relatively inexpensive lead dioxide anode for electrowinning metals from strong acid solutions. The anode was prepared by depositing PbO2 directly on a titanium blank in a strong HNO3-Pb(NO3)2 solution at 2.15 to 6.45 A/dm2 and 60 deg c. This anode was tested in zinc and copper electrowinning cells containing 200 gpl h2so4 and 35 to 100 gpl metal ions at the current density of 3.23 to 6.45 A/dm2. Contamination of the cathode by lead was - <0.005 pct. A 30-day test at 6.45 to 12.90 A/dm2 in an electrolyte containing 200 gpl H2SO4 and no metal ions resulted in a slight change in surface morphology of the pbo2 anode but no measurable change in anode weight or dimensions.

19760101

IH; Report of Investigations

1976

PB-250491

A02

RI-8111

RORC

Lead dioxide-plated titanium anode for electrowinning metals from acid solutions.

MO