Ionic Liquids Electrowinning of Aluminum in Batch Mode Cells

摘要

A batch recirculation electrowinning cell system was developed to electrowin aluminum from 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and aluminum chloride (ionic liquids) electrolyte at low temperatures. The cell system consisted of electrolyte reservoir, pump and electrolytic cell. During the course of batch experiments, the behavior of current density, current efficiency, aluminum ion concentration, specific energy consumption and process time were analyzed. The results show that current density and current efficiency increase with electrolyte recirculation rate and initial electrolyte concentration. Current densities and cell current efficiencies were ranged from 160-200 A/m~2 and 70-80%, respectively. Based on these results, the development of large scale electrowinning cells for the production of aluminum at low temperatures is discussed.