ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF METALLIC IRON AND SULFURIC ACID VALUES FROM IRON-RICH SULFATE WASTES, MINING RESIDUES AND PICKLING LIQUORS

摘要

An electrochemical process for the recovery of metallic iron or an iron-richalloy, oxygen and sulfuric acid fromiron-rich metal sulfate wastes is described. Broadly, the electrochemicalprocess comprises providing an iron-rich metal sulfatesolution; electrolyzing the iron-rich metal sulfate solution in anelectrolyzer comprising a cathodic compartment equipped with acathode having a hydrogen over- potential equal or higher than that of ironand containing a catholyte having a pH below about6.0; an anodic compartment equipped with an anode and containing an anolyte;and a separator allowing for anion passage; andrecovering electrodeposited iron or iron-rich alloy, sulfuric acid and oxygengas. Electrolyzing the iron-rich metal sulfate solutioncauses iron or an iron-rich alloy to be electrodeposited at the cathode,nascent oxygen gas to evolve at the anode, sulfuric acid toaccumulate in the anodic compartment and an iron depleted solution to beproduced.