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An investigation of carbonaceous materials reducing ferric ions in aqueous solution

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Abstract

By substituting the ferrous to ferric oxidation for anodic oxygen evolution in an electrowinning cell, it is possible to reduce the cell voltage by about 1 V. However, it is then necessary to reduce the ferric back to ferrous and, depending on the circumstances, acid needs to be cogenerated. Various possible reductants are discussed, and experiments are described on the use of lignite and other carbonaceous materials to reduce the ferric ion. It was found that lignite was able to reduce the ferric ion,in situ in the electrowinning cell, but that the rate of reduction was compatible only with a maximum current density of about 40 Am-2. The efficiency was increased by periodically interrupting the current flow.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Martin Marietta Laboratories Baltimore, 21227-3898, MD

    A. V. Cooke (Senior Scientist)

  2. Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, Cambridge, England

    J. P. Chilton (University Lecturer) & D. J. Fray (University Lecturer)

Authors
  1. A. V. Cooke
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  2. J. P. Chilton
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  3. D. J. Fray
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Cooke, A.V., Chilton, J.P. & Fray, D.J. An investigation of carbonaceous materials reducing ferric ions in aqueous solution. Metall Trans B 19, 709–717 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02650190

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02650190

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