Electrowinning of gallium

A continuous process for the electrolytic recovery of gallium from an acidic, aqueous gallium trichloride solution which comprises the steps of establishing in said solution a concentration of up to about 3.0 molar of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, continuously feeding the solution to electrolytic cells, continuously electrolyzing said solution containing dissolved metal at an electrode current density in the range of from about 200 to 300 A/m.sup.2 and at a temperature in the range of from about 30.degree. to 60.degree.C., whereby the current efficiency is sustained at values of at least about 85%, and recovering gallium metal.

A process for the electrolytic recovery of gallium from an acidic, aqueous gallium trichloride solution which comprises the steps of preparing an acidic, aqueous gallium trichloride solution, containing a chloride of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, continuously feeding said solution to electrolytic cells containing vertical graphite cathodes positioned in diaphragm enclosed compartments and vertical graphite anodes, electrolyzing said solution at an electrode current density in the range of from about 200 to 230 A/m.sup.2, maintaining the temperature of the electrolyte at about 50.degree.C., maintaining the pH of the electrolyte during electrolysis at about one, maintaining the concentration of gallium ions during electrolysis in the range of from about 0.5 to 3.0 molar, maintaining the concentration of said metal in the range of from about 0.1 to 2.0 molar, and recovering electro-deposited gallium from said compartments.