Patent ID: 6569311
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
A continuous electrochemical process for preparing zinc powder which comprises the steps of:a) providing to an electrochemical cell a suspension in a 1.25 Molar to 10.0 Molar aqueous alkaline solution of zinc oxide or any other zinc compound that reacts with an aqueous base to produce zinc oxide, the suspension comprising at least 2 millimoles of solubilized zinc based species per 100 grams of electrolyte; and b) passing current to the electrochemical cell at a current density of about 500 to 40,000 A/m2, for a time period sufficient to electrochemically reduce the zinc based species to zinc powder, while continuously or intermittently adding a sufficient amount of the zinc oxide or the other zinc compound to the cell to maintain the concentration of the solubilized zinc based species at a level of at least 2 millimoles per 100 grams of electrolyte and continuously or intermittently removing at least a portion of the zinc powder formed; wherein in steps a) and b), the electrolyte comprises the aqueous alkaline solution and the zinc oxide or the other zinc compound.