Abstract:The feasibility of preparation of crude lead by direct solid phase electrolysis of lead sulfate and waste lead paste in sodium tartrate electrolyte was studied. Effects of anode materials, sodium tartrate concentration, additives, current density, electrode spacing, and temperature on current efficiency and energy consumption were studied. Two reference electrodes were employed to monitor cathode and anode potential and the optimal process parameters were established. The current efficiency, electrolytic energy consumption, and lead purity can reach 96.7%, 676 kWh/tPb, and 99.8%, respectively under the conditions including sodium tartrate concentration of 1mol/L, current density of 375 A/m2, electrode spacing of 15 mm, and temperature of 50 ℃ during solid phase electrolysis of lead sulfate. Under the above conditions to electrolyze waste lead paste, the current efficiency, electrolytic energy consumption, and lead purity is 91.60%, 1 068 kWh/tPb, and 98.74% respectively. The electrolyte can be regenerated and recycled by adding sodium hydroxide.