Process for preparing metal by electrolysis, especially lead, and

Abstract

The present invention is a process for preparing a lead or copper metal by electrolysis in a cell having a cathode and an anode which are separated by a diaphragm, which comprises the steps of preparing an electrolyte containing a metal chloride to be prepared in at least one chloride of an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal; circulating the electrolyte between the cathode and the anode parallel to the surface of the cathode, wherein the surface of the cathode is arranged in substantially a vertical direction and has a sufficiently low density of sites of nucleation so that the metallic particles which are formed from the sites keep their individuality in relation to the adjacent particles, until the particles reach a dimension of at least about 100 micrometers; maintaining the flow of the electrolyte along the length of the surface of the cathode in a laminary or weakly turbulent manner so that, under the action of their weight and of the forces exercised by the current of the electrolyte, the metallic particles are detached and fall into the electrolyte; and removing the metallic particles grouped at the bottom of the cell. The present invention also relates to an apparatus utilized in the process of preparing a lead or copper metal.