GB761794A - Electrolytic cell for electrowinning manganese - Google Patents

Abstract

761,794. Obtaining manganese by electrolysis. ELECTRIC FURNACE PRODUCTS CO., Ltd. Feb. 26, 1954 [March 5, 1953], No. 5642/54. Class 41. An electrolytic cell 1 for electrowinning manganese includes a container having suspended therein a plurality of cathodes, e.g. parallel steel sheets 15, and a plurality of anodes 17, e.g. of an alloy of 99 per cent lead, 1 per cent silver, frames 16 carrying solution-permeable diaphragms 10 surrounding each cathode to provide individual catholyte compartments each separated from a common anolyte compartment 8, the catholyte compartments having communicating passage means, e.g. conduits 13, 14 adapted to circulate catholyte between a common catholyte feed compartment 7, separated from the compartment 8 by a partition 6, and each individual catholyte compartment. The frames 16 close the catholyte compartments top and bottom. In operation feed is introduced into a trough 19 which it leaves by holes 20 to enter the feed compartment 7, circulating through conduits 13, catholyte compartments and back through conduits 14. When the catholyte is depleted in manganese, it passes through the diaphragms 10 into the anode spaces which alternate with the catholyte compartments and which form part of the compartment 8. Anolyte leaves the cell by a conduit 23 and overflow 22. Drains 24, 25 permit the removal of anodic sludge and catholyte. The cell may be operated at 5.5 volts at current densities of 139 and 45 amps. per square foot for anode and cathode respectively. The electrolyte consists of manganese sulphate at 34 to 36 gms. per litre, ammonium sulphate at 125 to 145 gms. per litre, and SO 2 at more than 0.10 gms. per litre.