pH effect on zinc recovery from the spent pickling baths of hot dip galvanizing industries

In this work, the pH effect on the zinc electrowinning present in the spent pickling baths (SPBs) is analysed with the aim of decreasing the energetic cost of the process. Specifically, the effect of increasing the initial pH with and without its control during the whole electrolysis experiment is studied on synthetic solutions with concentration values similar to those present in the spent pickling baths. Finally, real SPBs are treated under pH control and the results obtained are also compared with those acquired with the direct electrolysis of these SPBs in a membrane reactor. The modification of the initial pH on synthetic solutions shows an increase in zinc deposition rate as the initial pH is risen. However, the zinc redissolution phenomenon is present during the whole experiment. On the other hand, when the pH is controlled, the results obtained are much better as zinc redissolution is prevented and the hydrogen evolution reaction rate is decreased. Comparing the behaviour between the reactor under pH control and that in the presence of an anion exchange membrane, reflects zinc conversion values slightly higher for the membrane reactor due to the zinc precipitation occurring in the reactor under pH control, which is higher as the pH rises. However, the specific energy consumption is considerably higher in the membrane reactor mainly due to the ohmic drop introduced by the membrane. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.