Abstract:In this study, lead methanesulfonate was utilized as the electrolyte to develop an innovative electrowinning lead process based on continuous electrowinning equipment. Through a systematic investigation of various parameters — including current density, scraping time, electrode spacing, electrolyte circulation speed, concentration of methanesulfonic acid, redissolution, concentration of Pb2+, and temperature — on the current efficiency, average cell voltage, and energy consumption of continuous electrowinning, the optimal conditions for the electrowinning of refined lead within a lead methanesulfonate solution were identified. Moreover, the feasibility and efficiency of the novel continuous electrowinning equipment have been validated. The results reveal that under conditions of a current density of 200 A?m-2, a scraping time of 2 h, an electrode spacing of 40 mm, electrolyte circulation speed of 300 mL?min-1, a methanesulfonic acid concentration of 1 mol?L-1, a Pb2+ concentration of 1 mol?L-1, and a temperature of 40°C, a refined lead of 99.996% purity, featuring a compact structure and ease of scraping, was obtained. The process exhibits a current efficiency exceeding 97% and an energy consumption of 659.74 kWh?t-1.