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FeSO4 Electrolysis to restore Sulphuric Acid

March 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

I want to remove the Iron contents from the Aqueous Solution of FeSO4. Should I do the electrolysis of the aqueous solution to remove the Iron content so as to be left with sulphuric acid only in liquid form?

Thanks,
Hanif

Mohammed Hanif Khan
Businessman - Agra, India

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March 17, 2010

Basically, it will not work. Consult an emf chart and hydrogen is zero and Fe is 0.77 volts. While this is not totally true for all concentrations, it does mean that you will use a great amount of electricity liberating hydrogen gas and very little Fe will plate out. At high concentrations, the iron will also tend to redissolve in the acid. New acid is a cheaper route to go. Waste treatment will add to this.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida