GB1294175A - Improvements in and relating to the electrolysis of a manganese salt to produce manganese dioxide - Google Patents

Abstract

1294175 Electrolytic production of manganese dioxide BECEKA-MANGANESE SA 2 June 1970 [3 June 1969] 26621/70 Heading C7B A cell for the electrolysis of a manganese salt to produce manganese dioxide has a removable bottom 10 upon which anodes 6 are secured, so that the solid, coherent precipitate of manganese dioxide may be removed with the anodes by removal of the cell bottom. The anodes are elongate, e.g. of circular, polygonal or elliptical cross-section; and may be of titanium. The cathodes 4, also rod shaped may be secured to the lid 8 of the cell, and each may be positioned at the centre of a hexagon of anodes. Agitation of the bath may be produced by use of mechanical stirrers and localized heating; and hollow cathodes having upper and lower openings may be used, an air-lift effect causing electrolyte to rise through the cathodes, or the cathode may be surrounded by a diaphragm, flow occuring between the cathode and diaphragm - Fig. 2 (not shown). The titanium anodes may be tubular, being coated internally with a more highly conductive metal, e.g. copper zinc, nickel or chromium, and the connecting wire may be embedded in a low melting point metal. Internal coating of the anodes with copper may be effected electrolytically, e.g. by making the titanium to be coated cathode first in an aqueous sulphuric acid bath, which effects pickling of the titanium surface, and thereafter adding copper sulphate to the electrolyte. In the production of manganese dioxide a heat-insulator such as paraffin may be present on the surface of the bath.