Lead electrowinning in a fluoborate medium. Use of hydrogen diffusion anodes

The results of an investigation of the electrowinning of lead employing a f luoboric acid bath are reported. The electrodeposition lead reaction was st udied by voltammetric methods and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microp hotographs of the electrodeposited lead were taken. The effects of current density, temperature, catholyte flow and H+ concentration were investigated on a laboratory scale to optimise operating conditions. Finally, the subst itution of the traditionally used Dimensionally Stable Anode (DSA) by a Hyd rogen Diffusion Electrode (HDE) was made in order to decrease the energy co nsumption (EC) of the overall process. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All r ights reserved.