ELECTROWINNING NICKEL FROM SULFATE ELECTROLYTE

摘要

A nickel electrowinning process carried out in a bag-free cell characterized by maintaining the electrolyte at a temperature in excess of 60 DEG C and a pH of about 1.5 to 2.0 and feeding pregnant electrolyte to and withdrawing spent electrolyte from the cell to maintain a nickel bite of at least 5 grams per liter while operating at relatively high current densities. An important feature is inclusion of substantial amounts of boric acid in the cell electrolyte to permit nickel bites of about 10 to 15 grams per liter when operating at 85 DEG C to 90 DEG C. Operation without diaphragms permits use of current densities up to five times those used in conventional diaphragm cells without an increase in power requirements.