Electrorefining of Manganese

Manganese is an important industrial metal used as an additive for production of various steels, non-ferrous alloys, electronic components and special chemicals. In order to get high purity (99.999%) manganese for advanced applications the electrorefining of manganese will be investigated. Electrorefining will be studied in an ammonium halide salt solution to minimize contamination of the manganese deposit. The electrorefining cell will be designed to have separate anolyte and catholyte compartments with an ion exchange membrane separator. It is therefore the objective of this study to investigate manganese electrorefining to achieve high purity manganese metal production, with high cathodic and anodic current efficiencies. The removal of impurities from the anolyte solution will be studied to maintain manganese metal purity. The results of this study will be of great benefit to the partner organization and allow them to develop a high purity manganese metal product to their customers.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Dreisinger

Student:

Xiangzhi Cao

Partner:

5N Plus Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining and quarrying

University:

University of British Columbia