Sulfuric acid based electrolyte processes prevail in electrowinning of most non-ferrous metals. In these electrolytes, the main anodic reaction is oxidation of water with oxygen evolution. The high voltage requirement for this oxidation process results in a large energy consumption. Also, oxygen evolution produces a significant acid mist inside the cell room. These, coupled with the impossibility to electrowin lead from sulfuric electrolytes, drove our research to investigate alternative electrochemical systems that did not have the above-mentioned disadvantages. This paper describes results of fifteen years of research performed by Engitec in this field; from bench scale pilot plants through commercial applications on new and more efficient and reliable electrolytic approaches than those currently in use.
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