Stabilization of an aqueous solution of an organic iron salt
View Patent ↗Process and station for stabilizing an aqueous solution of an iron salt of an organic acid with a ferric component and a ferrous component of less solubility than the ferric component, such as the aqueous solution based on the Fe 3+ salt of meso-tartaric acid. To stabilize the content of the dissolved ferric salt, the solution is at least partly subjected to electrolytic oxidation.
1. A process for stabilizing an aqueous solution comprising an iron complex of an organic acid with a ferric component and a ferrous component of less solubility than the ferric component, the process comprising at least partly subjecting the aqueous solution to electrolytic oxidation, wherein the aqueous solution has a pH between 3 and 5.
2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises an Fe3+ complex of meso-tartaric acid.
3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the electrolytic oxidation is carried out in at least one electrolytic cell, with a separated anode and cathode.
4. The process according to claim 3 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises FeMTA and is circulated along the anode of one or more of the at least one electrolytic cells.
5. The process according to claim 3 , wherein the anode and cathode are separated by a porous or a non-porous separator.
6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the anode and cathode are separated by a non-porous separator comprising at least one of an anion exchange membrane or a cationic exchange membrane.
7. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises FeMTA and is circulated along the anode of one or more of the at least one electrolytic cells.
8. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises FeMTA and has an iron content below 5 wt. % by weight of the total solution, and wherein the electrolytic oxidation is carried out to maintain the Fe2+ content below 3 wt. % by weight of the total iron content.
9. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the electrolytic cell comprises a catholyte of 1-3 M HCl aqueous solution.
10. The process according to claim 9 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises FeMTA and is circulated along the anode of one or more of the at least one electrolytic cells.
11. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises FeMTA and has an iron content below 5 wt. % by weight of the total solution, and wherein the electrolytic oxidation is carried out to maintain the Fe2+ content below 3 wt. % by weight of the total iron content.
12. The process according to claim 1 , wherein at least 50 wt. % of the Fe2+ in the aqueous solution is oxidized to Fe3+.
13. The process according to claim 1 , wherein at least 90 wt. % of the Fe2+ in the aqueous solution is oxidized to Fe3+.
14. A station for preparing an aqueous solution, wherein the station comprises at least one electrolytic cell comprising the aqueous solution for the oxidation of Fe2+, and wherein the solution comprises an iron complex of an organic acid with a ferric component and a ferrous component of less solubility than the ferric component, and the aqueous solution has pH between 3 and 5.
15. The station according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one electrolytic cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and a separator separating the anode from the cathode.
16. The station according to claim 15 , wherein the separator is a non-porous anionic or cationic exchange membrane.
17. The station according to claim 16 , wherein the anode comprises a porous structure forming part of a circulation loop, and wherein the anode is at least partly positioned against the separator.
18. The station according to claim 16 , wherein an anolyte space between the anode and the separator is part of a circulation loop.
19. The station according to claim 18 , wherein the anode comprises a porous structure forming part of a circulation loop, and wherein the anode is at least partly positioned against the separator.
20. A dispensing station for dosing an aqueous solution of an iron complex of an organic acid with a ferric component on salt, wherein the dispensing station for dosing comprises at least one electrolytic cell comprising a aqueous solution for the oxidation of Fe2+, and wherein the solution comprises an iron complex of an organic acid with a ferric component and a ferrous component of less solubility than the ferric component, and the aqueous solution has a pH between 3 and 5.