Characteristics of electrolytic cells

THE electrolysis section of zinc smelter, at Debari,
is designed for a low current density process taking
into consideration the ambient temperature of the
region. The cells are made of reinforced concrete
with lead lining and contain 2 5 anodes of lead
(alloyed with 0.5--I'0°o silver) and 27 cathodes of
high purity aluminium sheet. Current density is
maintained around 300 ampslm2 and the cells are oper-
ated between 9 000 and 10 000 amperes per hour per
cell. There are 240 cells distributed in 20 cascades
of 12 cells each. Each cascade has two rows of six
cells. The temperature in cells is maintained by
removing excess heat with the help of lead cooling
coils. The normal working temperature varies between
38 and 45 C. Purified zinc sulphate solution, termed neutral solution, is fed to individual cells through
a small feeder pipe With provision for regulating the flow. The rated capacity of the plant is 555 tons of
zinc cathodes per day.