Abstract

A cyclic method for processing manganese ores using sodium sulphate as the basic reagent is described. Sodium sulphate is electrolyzed in a diaphragm cell to give an anolyte-containing sulphuric acid and a catholyte-containing caustic soda, a part of which is carbonated in a cyclic manner to form soda ash. The reduced ore is leached with the anolyte to dissolve the manganese and the impurities are precipitated by addition of catholyte. Manganese in the pregnant solution is precipitated as synthetic rhodochrosite with a carbonated catholyte, and sodium sulphate is regenerated. Calcining the manganese carbonate gives a high grade product and the carbon dioxide is returned to the carbonation step. The results of laboratory tests using cells equipped with synthetic-fiber diaphragms and permselective membranes, which permit transfer of anions or cations during electrolysis, are described.

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