Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis

The present work reports the direct leaching of zinc from a sphalerite concentrate in acid media. Lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments were conducted in atmospheric-pressure and low-pressure reactors, respectively. Leaching of zinc and precipitation of iron was achieved in the same stage using diff...

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Main Authors: Nallely G. Picazo-Rodríguez, Ma. de Jesus Soria-Aguilar, Antonia Martínez-Luévanos, Isaias Almaguer-Guzmán, Josue Chaidez-Félix, Francisco Raul Carrillo-Pedroza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
Series:Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/4/359
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author Nallely G. Picazo-Rodríguez
Ma. de Jesus Soria-Aguilar
Antonia Martínez-Luévanos
Isaias Almaguer-Guzmán
Josue Chaidez-Félix
Francisco Raul Carrillo-Pedroza
author_facet Nallely G. Picazo-Rodríguez
Ma. de Jesus Soria-Aguilar
Antonia Martínez-Luévanos
Isaias Almaguer-Guzmán
Josue Chaidez-Félix
Francisco Raul Carrillo-Pedroza
author_sort Nallely G. Picazo-Rodríguez
collection DOAJ
description The present work reports the direct leaching of zinc from a sphalerite concentrate in acid media. Lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments were conducted in atmospheric-pressure and low-pressure reactors, respectively. Leaching of zinc and precipitation of iron was achieved in the same stage using different reagents like Fe<sup>3+</sup>, O<sub>2</sub>, O<sub>3</sub>, and Fe<sup>2+</sup> (which is continuously oxidized in the leaching solution by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and O<sub>2</sub>). The highest percentage of zinc extraction (96%) was obtained in pilot-scale experiments using H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, Fe<sup>2+</sup>, and O<sub>2</sub>. Experimental results were compared with those of other researchers to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing the dissolution of zinc. In the first instance, it was determined from analysis of variance that leaching time and the use of an oxidant agent (O<sub>2</sub> or O<sub>3</sub>) were the most influential factors during the direct leaching of zinc from the sphalerite concentrate. Kinetic models were also evaluated to determine the rate-limiting step of the sphalerite leaching; it was concluded that the type of the sulfur layer formed in the residue (porous or non-porous) depends on the type of the oxidant used in the leaching media, which determines the dissolution kinetics of zinc.
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spelling doaj.art-1e29dabbe29849908336bc652025824c2023-11-19T21:53:37ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2020-04-0110435910.3390/min10040359Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics AnalysisNallely G. Picazo-Rodríguez0Ma. de Jesus Soria-Aguilar1Antonia Martínez-Luévanos2Isaias Almaguer-Guzmán3Josue Chaidez-Félix4Francisco Raul Carrillo-Pedroza5Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, República S/N, C.P 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, MexicoFacultad de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Carretera 57 Km 5, C.P 25710 Monclova, Coahuila, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, República S/N, C.P 25280 Saltillo, Coahuila, MexicoCIDT-SEPSA Peñoles, C.P. 27268 Torreon, Coahuila, MexicoCIDT-SEPSA Peñoles, C.P. 27268 Torreon, Coahuila, MexicoFacultad de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Carretera 57 Km 5, C.P 25710 Monclova, Coahuila, MexicoThe present work reports the direct leaching of zinc from a sphalerite concentrate in acid media. Lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments were conducted in atmospheric-pressure and low-pressure reactors, respectively. Leaching of zinc and precipitation of iron was achieved in the same stage using different reagents like Fe<sup>3+</sup>, O<sub>2</sub>, O<sub>3</sub>, and Fe<sup>2+</sup> (which is continuously oxidized in the leaching solution by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and O<sub>2</sub>). The highest percentage of zinc extraction (96%) was obtained in pilot-scale experiments using H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, Fe<sup>2+</sup>, and O<sub>2</sub>. Experimental results were compared with those of other researchers to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing the dissolution of zinc. In the first instance, it was determined from analysis of variance that leaching time and the use of an oxidant agent (O<sub>2</sub> or O<sub>3</sub>) were the most influential factors during the direct leaching of zinc from the sphalerite concentrate. Kinetic models were also evaluated to determine the rate-limiting step of the sphalerite leaching; it was concluded that the type of the sulfur layer formed in the residue (porous or non-porous) depends on the type of the oxidant used in the leaching media, which determines the dissolution kinetics of zinc.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/4/359zincsphaleriteleachingstatistickineticssulfur layer
spellingShingle Nallely G. Picazo-Rodríguez
Ma. de Jesus Soria-Aguilar
Antonia Martínez-Luévanos
Isaias Almaguer-Guzmán
Josue Chaidez-Félix
Francisco Raul Carrillo-Pedroza
Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis
Minerals
zinc
sphalerite
leaching
statistic
kinetics
sulfur layer
title Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis
title_full Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis
title_fullStr Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis
title_short Direct Acid Leaching of Sphalerite: An Approach Comparative and Kinetics Analysis
title_sort direct acid leaching of sphalerite an approach comparative and kinetics analysis
topic zinc
sphalerite
leaching
statistic
kinetics
sulfur layer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/4/359
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