GB194638A - Electrolytic iron - Google Patents

Abstract

194,638. Eustis, F. A. Dec. 22, 1921. Iron chlorides and sulphates.-A solution of ferric salts is electrolytically reduced in a tank G to the ferrous condition, and is then led to a lixiviating tank B containing iron oxide ore. The lixiviator may be kept at a temperature of 70‹ C. or above, and preferably works on the countercurrent principle. After filtration, most of the solution, which has taken up ferric salts from the ore, returns to the reducing tank G. The remainder is treated with scrap iron in a vat F and with limestone in a tank D to remove ferric salts and acid. It is then filtered, if necessary, and electrolyzed in a depositing vat A, the ferric solution obtained then returning to the electrolytic reduction tank G. Any acid lost during operations with a sulphate solution may be restored by treating the solution with sulphur dioxide, say in the reduction vat G. Sulphide ores may be treated, if of such character that reduction of a ferric solution does not readily take place in the lixiviator. Specifications 194,639 and 196,334 are referred to.