The Behavior of a Trickle Tower Electrolytic Cell for the Production of Cobalt(Iii) Acetate From Cobalt(Ii) Acetate

Abstract

The production of Co(III) acetate from Co(II) acetate using a bipolar trickle tower of graphite Raschig rings was investigated. Space time yields up to 18 kg m-3 h-1 were obtained, which showed no improvement over those achievable in a conventional plate and frame cell. A mathematical model of the system indicated that the electrode reactions occurred almost entirely at the opposing annular surfaces between consecutive layers of Raschig rings and that the unexpectedly low performance of the device was most probably due to the unfavourable mass transport conditions which existed in the intervening gaps.