Anodic Dissolution of Zinc Sulfide Suspension in Aqueous Solution

A suspension electrolysis method has been developed which enabled a direct anodic extraction of zinc from zinc sulfide concentrate and simultaneously oxidized sulfide sulfur to elemental sulfur. The investigation was performed in a laboratory-scale electrolytic cell, where the zinc sulfide concentrate particles (chemical composition in weight percent: 61.1% Zn, 2.3% Fe, 30.6% S, 3.4% SiO2 were suspended with or without graphite powder in a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte. The main parts of the cylindrical electrolytic cell are shown in [Fig. 1]. The cathode (1), a rod of aluminum, is set at the center of the cell. The anode (2), which consists of four plates, is mounted on the inner face of the cell wall. Both PbO2(Pb) and graphite anodes were used. The cathode compartment (3) is separated from