The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry

The complete reaction of chalcopyrite at ≥220 °C under pressure oxidation conditions (10 or 20% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> pulp density, PO<sub>2</sub> 700 kPa) is a clean, near complete process, yielding high copper extractions (~99%) in an acidic leach liquor composed of...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Robbie G. McDonald
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/8/1065
_version_ 1797583708282159104
author Robbie G. McDonald
author_facet Robbie G. McDonald
author_sort Robbie G. McDonald
collection DOAJ
description The complete reaction of chalcopyrite at ≥220 °C under pressure oxidation conditions (10 or 20% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> pulp density, PO<sub>2</sub> 700 kPa) is a clean, near complete process, yielding high copper extractions (~99%) in an acidic leach liquor composed of dissolved metal sulphates, when high-quality process water is employed. However, when the process water contains chloride ions, here 3–100 g/L, although the copper extraction rate is enhanced, complete oxidation of sulphur under batch processing conditions is delayed. Chloride addition, therefore, appears to favour an oxidation mechanism that liberates cupric ions and preferentially forms elemental sulphur over sulphate. This provides evidence for the decoupling of the copper extraction and sulphate formation reactions. Increasing the reaction temperature, here to 245 °C, increases the rate of sulphuric acid formation and decreases the iron concentration in the leach liquor. The study also examines the effects of various upfront acid and other salt additions upon copper extraction. Added sulphuric acid was shown to slow the reaction, whereas salts such a cupric chloride and sodium sulphate had small effects on the rate and extent of copper extraction.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T23:42:51Z
format Article
id doaj.art-99508ae079734166ad16da723fcfaf61
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2075-163X
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T23:42:51Z
publishDate 2023-08-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Minerals
spelling doaj.art-99508ae079734166ad16da723fcfaf612023-11-19T02:21:10ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-08-01138106510.3390/min13081065The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach ChemistryRobbie G. McDonald0CSIRO Mineral Resources, Australian Minerals Research Centre, 7 Conlon Street, Waterford, WA 6152, AustraliaThe complete reaction of chalcopyrite at ≥220 °C under pressure oxidation conditions (10 or 20% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> pulp density, PO<sub>2</sub> 700 kPa) is a clean, near complete process, yielding high copper extractions (~99%) in an acidic leach liquor composed of dissolved metal sulphates, when high-quality process water is employed. However, when the process water contains chloride ions, here 3–100 g/L, although the copper extraction rate is enhanced, complete oxidation of sulphur under batch processing conditions is delayed. Chloride addition, therefore, appears to favour an oxidation mechanism that liberates cupric ions and preferentially forms elemental sulphur over sulphate. This provides evidence for the decoupling of the copper extraction and sulphate formation reactions. Increasing the reaction temperature, here to 245 °C, increases the rate of sulphuric acid formation and decreases the iron concentration in the leach liquor. The study also examines the effects of various upfront acid and other salt additions upon copper extraction. Added sulphuric acid was shown to slow the reaction, whereas salts such a cupric chloride and sodium sulphate had small effects on the rate and extent of copper extraction.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/8/1065chalcopyritechloridepressure oxidation
spellingShingle Robbie G. McDonald
The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry
Minerals
chalcopyrite
chloride
pressure oxidation
title The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry
title_full The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry
title_fullStr The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry
title_short The Effects of Chloride on the High-Temperature Pressure Oxidation of Chalcopyrite: Some Insights from Batch Tests—Part 1: Leach Chemistry
title_sort effects of chloride on the high temperature pressure oxidation of chalcopyrite some insights from batch tests part 1 leach chemistry
topic chalcopyrite
chloride
pressure oxidation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/8/1065
work_keys_str_mv AT robbiegmcdonald theeffectsofchlorideonthehightemperaturepressureoxidationofchalcopyritesomeinsightsfrombatchtestspart1leachchemistry
AT robbiegmcdonald effectsofchlorideonthehightemperaturepressureoxidationofchalcopyritesomeinsightsfrombatchtestspart1leachchemistry