Production electrolysis of indium from insoluble indium oxalate

摘要

The production electrolysis process of indium from insoluble indium oxalate according to the present invention is a modification of classical manufacturing technology of metallic indium. At the present time, it is only possible to process in water easily soluble compounds, such as indium chloride and indium sulfate. The present invention is characterized in that it provides a process enabling processing also insoluble indium compounds, such as indium oxalate. Using a cation-exchange membrane, the electrolytic cell is divided into catolyte and anolyte, wherein the cation-exchange membrane prevents undesired reactions of oxalate anion with anolyte components. In order to increase conductivity, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid is added to the anolyte and for the same purpose sodium, potassium or lithium oxalate is added to the catolyte.