Electrolytic reduction of galena in fused salt

A demand has long existed for a method of directly recovering elemental Sulphur, in addition to the Lead, from Galena ore. At the present time, the sulphur of this ore is dissipated in the lead blast furnace as sulphur dioxide fumes. While the fumes are trapped to avoid damage to the vegetation of the surrounding countryside, their concentration is usually too low to make sulphuric acid as a profitable by-product. Thus, contrary to some speculation, the sulphuric acid produces under the circumstances is usually not a true by-product in the money-making sense of the term in many cases, but a choice of the lesser of two evils. However, sulphur has gained a secure position in industry today; its market price f.o.b. Texas and Louisiana has averaged about $18 per ton over these last few years; hence the existing demand for a means of recovering sulphur, as well as the lead, direct from galena ore. The object of the present investigation has been to construct, operate and obtain data on an original model laboratory cell for the production of lead and elemental sulphur from galena, that might be applied to commercial use when made on a larger scale --Introduction, page 1