REAGENT ADDITION EFFECTS IN ZINC ELECTROWINNING FROM KIDD CREEK ELECTROLYTE

Abstract

The individual and combined effects of antimony, sodium silicate, Dowfroth and Saponin on zinc deposition current efficiency and polarization and on the zinc deposit morphology and preferred orientation were determined in 6-h electrolysis tests conducted at 38°C and 500 A/m2 current density. Platinum anodes and aluminum cathodes were used with Kidd Creek electrolyte containing 55 g/L Zn and 200 g/L H2SO4. The trends identified in the 6-h experiments were confirmed in 24-h electrolysis tests employing Pb-Ag anodes with SrCO3 additions to simulate plant conditions.