Determination of the efficiency and selectivity of anodic dissolution of a heat-resistant rhenium-containing superalloy in chloride-containing media with sulfuric or methanesulfonic acids

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.342421

Keywords:

superalloy recycling, anodic dissolution, rhenium recovery, nickel-based superalloy

Abstract

The object of this study is the electrochemical anodic dissolution of a heat-resistant nickel-based superalloy containing rhenium and other alloying elements in acidic electrolytes containing sodium chloride. The investigated alloy was obtained from scrap of high-temperature equipment. The anodic dissolution of the superalloy was studied in two acidic media: sulfuric and methanesulfonic acids. A comparative analysis of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic experiments was carried out. In sulfuric acid electrolyte, anodic processes proceed more vigorously, as indicated by higher current densities. However, this method records not only the dissolution currents of metals but also side processes such as anodic oxygen evolution and re-oxidation of dissolved ions. Under galvanostatic conditions, which allow direct determination of alloy mass loss, it was shown that methanesulfonic acid with sodium chloride provides a higher dissolution rate despite the medium's lower conductivity. This effect is explained by the higher solubility and stability of the methanesulfonates of the alloying components (Cr, Al, Nb, Ta, Re), which reduce the tendency of the surface to repassivate. In the H2SO4 + NaCl medium, dissolution proceeds more uniformly but at lower mass efficiency, attributed to the formation of poorly soluble sulfates. In the methanesulfonate electrolyte, within the current density range of 1.5–2.5 A·dm-2, the ratios of Ni, Cr, Co, W, and Re were closest to those in the original alloy, while rhenium was detected in solution, unlike in the sulfuric medium. The obtained results can be applied to optimize the initial stage of superalloy recycling and to develop electrochemical technologies for the recovery of strategically important metals from industrial waste

Author Biographies

Valerii Kotok, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Processes, Apparatus and General Chemical Technology

Yuri Sknar, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Head of Department

Department of Processes, Apparatus and General Chemical Technology

Tatyana Butyrina, Kryvyi Rih National University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Mineral Processing and Chemistry

Irina Sknar, Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Processes, Apparatus and General Chemical Technology

Irina Sukha, Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Fats and Food Products

Oksana Demchyshyna, Kryvyi Rih National University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Mineral Processing and Chemistry

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Determination of the efficiency and selectivity of anodic dissolution of a heat-resistant rhenium-containing superalloy in chloride-containing media with sulfuric or methanesulfonic acids

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Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Kotok, V., Sknar, Y., Butyrina, T., Sknar, I., Sukha, I., & Demchyshyna, O. (2025). Determination of the efficiency and selectivity of anodic dissolution of a heat-resistant rhenium-containing superalloy in chloride-containing media with sulfuric or methanesulfonic acids. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 5(6 (137), 32–40. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.342421

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 6 (137) (2025): Technology organic and inorganic substances

Section

Technology organic and inorganic substances

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Copyright (c) 2025 Valerii Kotok, Yuri Sknar, Tatyana Butyrina, Irina Sknar, Irina Sukha, Oksana Demchyshyna

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