Electrowinning of high purity zinc metal from a Mn-containing leach solution preceded by cold electrolytic demanganization

摘要

Process for obtaining high purity electrolytic metal zinc at high efficiencies from high manganese (more than 0,5%) blends (zinc sulfide) through cold electrolytic demanganization prior to standard electrolysis for the electrowinning of zinc. This previous step allows to simultaneously remove the mass of manganese added by stripping it off the solution as a manganese dioxide. The critical operating conditions of the process provide a tenfold increase in the efficiency of manganese removal, compared to the demanganizing electrolytic cells that are commonly used in the prior art and maintaining this value by using the same anodes for a service period of thirty days in a row, without undue changes or care and at a low operating cost.