Process for the electrolytic recovery of gallium and/or alkali metals
AssigneeAjkai Timfoldgyar es Aluminiumkoho
InventorsIstvan Somosi, Bela Toth, Jozsef Boros, Janos Vitez
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Abstract
A method of electrolytically recovering gallium and/or alkali metals from alkali metal solutions, preferably aluminate (sodium aluminate) liquors from aluminate production in which the gallium or alkali metal is electrolytically deposited on a mercury layer of the thickness of several microns applied to a metallic support which is more electronegative than mercury (preferably copper) by amalgamation or cementation from a mercury salt solution. The deposition of metals is carried out at a temperature below 50.degree. C and the cathode is then treated with a solvent, e.g. mercury or water, to remove the deposited elements.
Claims8
A process for the electrolytic recovery of gallium from an aluminate liquor of the production of crystalline alumina and containing sodium as well as gallium, the process comprising the steps of:
- a. applying a mercury layer to a surface of a carrier electrode of a metal more electronegative than mercury until mercury coats said surface to form a mercury cathode;
- b. electrolyzing said aluminate liquor at a temperature of less than 50.degree. C with said mercury cathode to initially deposit sodium upon said mercury cathode and then depositing gallium thereon;
- and
- c. solubilizing the gallium from said mercury cathode by treating the same with a gallium-solubilizing medium, thereby regenerating said mercury cathode for reuse of the same in step (a) for further acceptance of said recoverable metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.