Abstract: A method of recovering lead is proposed, wherein preliminarily crushed recycable raw material composed of spent lead-sulphuric acid storage batteries is subjected to treatment with an alkaline solution, as a result of which metallic lead, taken out of the process, and pulp, to be subjected to mechanical separation, are obtained. As a result of the separation, a lead-containing (as inclusions) polymer material and a suspension, which is a mixture of a sodium sulfate solution having lead oxide particles therein, are obtained. The suspension is separated, as a result of which lead oxides are taken out of the process, while the sodium sulfate solution is subjected to electrochemical treatment, as a result of which sulphuric acid and an alkaline solution are obtained, the alkaline solution being fed for treatment of the lead-containing (as inclusions) polymer material.

Abstract: There is proposed a process for recovering lead, comprising the steps of: feeding molten caustic soda, lead-containing feed and an oxygen-containing gas into a reaction some having a temperature of 600.degree. to 700.degree. C. as a result of which there are obtained lead metal withdrawn from the process and a melt containing sodium sulphate, zinc and copper sulphides, and gangue. The melt is discharged from the reaction zone of subjected to a first leaching operation to obtain, as a result, a slurry representing a mixture of solid particles of sodium sulphate, zinc and copper sulphides, gangue and an aqueous solution containing essentially caustic soda. Further on, the slurry is filtered to produce a concentrated aqueous solution containing essentially caustic soda and a solid residue. The concentrated caustic soda solution is subjected to thickening by evaporation and the resulting caustic soda melt is fed into the reaction zone.