Hydrogen evolution inhibiting additives for zinc electrowinning

Abstract

A cetylpyridinium salt, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is used as a hydrogen evolution inhibitor (a current efficiency improver) in a commercial zinc electrowinning process. Zinc electrowinning compositions containing a) antimony and b) antimony and glue were tested. Adding CPC at a 0.05 mM concentration to the electrowinning liquor resulted in increased current efficiency for both electrolytes.

1 . A method of improved zinc electrowinning, comprising: 
 adding a cetylpyridinium salt additive to a zinc electrowinning electrolyte.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cetylpyridinium salt is a cetylpyridinium halide.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said cetylpyridinium halide is cetylpyridinium chloride.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said cetylpyridinium chloride is at 0.05 millimolar (mM) concentration in said zinc electrowinning liquor.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said zinc electrowinning electrolyte contains zinc sulfate.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said zinc electrowinning electrolyte contains antimony.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said zinc electrowinning electrolyte contains glue.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said glue is animal glue.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said animal glue is gelatin.