Recycling of zinc dross to produce electrolytic zinc powder

Abstract

This investigation deals with the production of electrolytic zinc powder from zinc dross in an alkaline medium by using it as anodic feed material. The zinc dross obtained from galvanizing plant was used for this purpose. Zinc dross contains more than 80% zinc and it is good conductor of electricity. With the help of this waste electrolytic set can be made and pure zinc in the form of zinc powder can be deposited on cathode. With this an idea present investigation was undertaken. In an electrolytic cell various parameters such as current density, current efficiency, voltage and concentration of electrolyte etc. have been studied. It was found that at 5 amp/dm2 current density the formation of zinc powder is possible with 1.23 kWh per kg of energy consumption. The impressed voltage was found 1.2 V with a current efficiency of 90%. The zinc powder obtained were characterized by XRD, SEM-EDS studies and found suitable for industrial applications