Energy savings by means of fuel-cell electrodes in electro-chemical industries. Progress report, February 1, 1980-April 30, 1980

Zinc electrowinning data are presented for bench-scale experiments carried out under steady-state conditions. In the first series of experiments, the sulfuric acid concentration was fixed and the zinc ion concentration was varied over a wide range. An optimum range of zinc ion concentration was identified, which minimizes the energy consumption per pound of zinc deposited at the cathode. In the second series of experiments, the zinc ion concentration was fixed and the sulfuric acid concentration was varied over a wide range. An optimum range of sulfuric acid concentration was thereby identified. Cell performance was then investigated over a range of H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ concentrations, at two different temperatures. Finally, further purification was applied to the feed zinc electrolyte and its effect upon ampere efficiency was determined.