Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed are solutions for the recovery of elemental metals at industrial scales without smelting including, for example, the recovery of near-pure lead from recycled LABs via specialized electrolytic processing. Further disclosed are new processes, innovative electrolyzer designs, and/or novel utilization of supplemental chemicals necessary for successful electrolysis of pure metal from impure forms (e.g., pure lead from lead oxides), and especially applicable for solid-state electrolysis of mixtures comprising lead paste, electrolyte, and supplemental chemicals. With particular regard to recovering near-pure lead during LAB recycling, solid-state electrolysis of mixtures comprising impure lead (e.g., lead paste) is made possible and scalable to industrial levels via utilization of a vertically-arranged series of two-compartment horizontal cathodes or two-compartment horizontal bipolar cathodes in an electrolyzer assembly to simultaneously produce, for example, elemental lead (Pb), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and chlorine gas (Cl2).

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First Claim