Abstract:The physicochemical problems involved in the process of recovering lead from scrap battery sludge by a new acid electrolytic method have been investigated adopting electrochemical method. The new techniques developed include the utilization of K₂CO₃ as desulphurizer, FeSO ₄-H₂SO₄ system in reducing converting, and PbSiF₆-H₂SiF₆ as electrolyte in electrowinning. Under experimental conditions, lead greater than 99.99% in purity was obtained with current efficiency greater than 98%, lead direct recovery above 95%, lead total recovery higher than 98%. Research and analysis showed that this process has many advantages, such as strong chemical driving force, stable operation and high lead recovery.

Key words: lead battery sludge acid electrolytic treatment