Abstract
The oxidation of sulphite ion to sulphate ion appears to offer attractions as an anodic reaction for cells operated at high current density such as those used in the fluidized bed electrodeposition of metals. In the present investigation several anodes were tried in a cell where the anolyte was aqueous ammonium sulphite solution and copper was electrowon from acidified aqueous cupric sulphate solution onto a fluidized cathode. The cell voltage was determined as a function of current density and a porous anode consisting of reticulated vitreous carbon with a lead coating was found to yield low cell voltages as did a DSA anode. The former anode did not evolve oxygen in the current density range up to 5500 A m−2 whereas the latter showed the onset of oxygen evolution as the current density was raised. Some effects of anolyte flow rate and extent of conversion of sulphite to sulphate, as well as the distribution of potential drops in the cell were determined. Below 3500 Am−2, sulphite ion oxidation using the reticulated vitreous carbon anode resulted in cell voltages below those of conventional commercial cells for copper electrowinning.
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Spring, K.A., Evans, J.W. An investigation of sulphite ion oxidation as an alternative anodic reaction in fluidized bed electrowinning or other high rate electrolysis cells. J Appl Electrochem 15, 609–618 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059303
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01059303