Anode dissolution of ternary Pb–Sb–Bi alloys and reduction of lead in the KCl–PbC2 melt

Abstract

The influence of bismuth, antimony and lead concentrations on the Pb–Sb–Bi alloys anode dissolution in the KCl–PbCl2 equimolar melt was studied. The lead dissolution process, which starts at the potentials close to the equilibrium ones, was found to be the basic process up to the certain potentials. A number of electrons, which take part in the cathode reactions, was determined. The diffusion layer thickness in the liquid metal anode was estimated according to the values of metal-limiting diffusion current. The electrolytic reduction of lead from the Pb–Sb–Bi ternary alloys was performed.