Kinetics of alkaline decomposition and cyanidation of argentian ammonium jarosite in lime medium

The alkaline decomposition of argentian ammonium jarosite in lime medium is characterized by an induction period and a conversion period in which the sulfate and ammonium ions pass to the solution whereas calcium is incorporated in the residue jointly with iron; this residue is amorphous in nature. The process is chemically controlled and the order of reaction with respect to the hydroxide concentration is 0.4; the activation energy is 70 kJ mol⁻¹. Cyanidation of argentian ammonium jarosite in lime medium presents the same reaction rate in the range of 0–10.2 mol m⁻³ CN⁻; in this range of concentration, the cyanide process can be described, as in other jarosites, in a two-step process: a step of alkaline decomposition that controls the overall process followed by a fast step of silver complexation. For higher cyanide concentration, the order of reaction with respect to cyanide is 0.65, and kinetic models of control by chemical reaction and diffusion control through the products layer both fit well; the activation energy obtained is 29 kJ mol⁻¹; this is indicative of a mixed control of the cyanidation process in the experimental conditions employed. The process is faster than was observed in ammonium jarosite generated in zinc hydrometallurgy (Industrial Minera México, San Luís Potosí, México); it seems that the reaction rate decreases when the substitution level in the jarosite lattice increases; this behavior is similar to that observed for synthetic potassium jarosite and arsenical potassium jarosite from gossan ores (Rio Tinto, Spain) presented in a previous paper.     

Factors affecting alkali jarosite precipitation

Several factors affecting the precipitation of the alkali jarosites (sodium jarosite, potassium jarosite, rubidium jarosite, and ammonium jarosite) have been studied systematically using sodium jarosite as the model. The pH of the reacting solution exercises a major influence on the amount of jarosite formed, but has little effect on the composition of the washed product. Higher temperatures significantly increase the yield and slightly raise the alkali content of the jarosites. The yield and alkali content both increase greatly with the alkali concentration to about twice the stoichiometric requirement but, thereafter, remain nearly constant. At 97 °C, the amount of product increases with longer retention times to about 15 hours, but more prolonged reaction times are without significant effect on the amount or composition of the jarosite. Factors such as the presence of seed or ionic strength have little effect on the yield or jarosite composition. The amount of precipitate augments directly as the iron concentration of the solution increases, but the product composition is nearly independent of this variable. A significant degree of agitation is necessary to suspend the product and to prevent the jarosite from coating the apparatus with correspondingly small yields. Once the product is adequately suspended, however, further agitation is without significant effect. The partitioning of alkali ions during jarosite precipitation was ascertained for K:Na, Na:NH₄, K:NH₄, and K:Rb. Potassium jarosite is the most stable of the alkali jarosites and the stability falls systematically for lighter or heavier congeners; ammonium jarosite is slightly more stable than the sodium analogue. Complete solid solubility among the various alkali jarosite-type compounds was established.     

Rubidium jarosite and thallium jarosite — new synthetic jarosite-type compounds and their structures

Rubidium jarosite (RbFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) and thallium jarosite (TlFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆) were synthesized as single phase products by precipitation from aqueous solution. Hydronium ion (H₃O⁺) substitutes for part of the “alkali” metal in these compounds. Both jarosites are hexagonal (R3m) and have similar unit cell dimensions. During heating rubidium jarosite undergoes two major decompositions; initially water is evolved and subsequently sulphur oxides are emitted. Thallium jarosite decomposes in three principal stages during programmed heating. The first two stages are similar to the decomposition of rubidium jarosite; the third decomposition involves the breakdown of thallium sulphate and the subsequent sublimation of thallous oxide.     

Thermodynamic properties of holmium monogermanide

The heat capacity and enthalpy of HoGe is investigated for the first time over a temperature range between 51.62 and 2096 K. The values of heat capacity, entropy, reduced Gibbs energy (J · mole^?1 × × K^?1), and enthalpy (J · mole^?1) are determined at 298.15 K: C °_P(T) = 49.63 ± 0.20; S °(T) = 89.1 ± 0.7; Φ′(T) = 50.9 ± 0.8; H °(T) ? H °(0 K) = 11391 ± 57. Temperature dependences of enthalpy (J · mole^?1) for holmium monogermanide are determined as follows: H °(T) ? H °(298.15 K) = 8.474 × × 10^?3 · T² + 47.13 · T + 226747 · T^?1 ? 15565 and H °(T) ? H °(298.15 K) = 88.91 · T ? 26507, for 298.15–1765 K and 1951–2096 K, respectively. The enthalpy and entropy of HoGe melting are calculated: T_m = 1765 ± 35 K, ΔH_m = 36.3 ± 2.9 kJ · mole^?1, ΔS_m = 20.5 ± 1.6 J · mole^?1 · K^?1.     

Kinetics of Densification and Grain Growth of Pure Tungsten During Spark Plasma Sintering

The kinetics of densification and grain growth of tungsten during spark plasma sintering (SPS) was studied under isothermal conditions. The results show that using SPS, high-density (>97?pct) pure tungsten can be produced without the addition of sintering aids. The estimated sintering exponent (m?=?0.4 ± 0.03) suggests that the rate-controlling mechanism of sintering is diffusion along the grain contacts into the interparticles neck region. The activation energy of tungsten self-diffusion was calculated (Q?=?277?±?15?kJ/mol) in the temperature range 1523?K to 1773?K (1250?°C to 1500?°C). The activation energy is smaller than the values in previous studies using conventional sintering. This suggests that there may be some differences in the sintering conditions and mechanisms during SPS processing compared to conventional sintering. Grain-growth kinetics was studied in the range 1873?K to 2073?K (1600?°C to 1800?°C) and classified as normal grain growth according to the estimated grain-growth exponent (m?=?2?±?0.2). The grain-growth activation energy was calculated as 231?±?15?kJ/mol.     

Synthesis, Thermodynamic, and Kinetics of Rubidium Jarosite Decomposition in Calcium Hydroxide Solutions

Rubidium jarosite was synthesized as a single phase by precipitation from aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive spectrometry analysis showed that the synthetic product is a solid rubidium jarosite phase formed in spherical particles with an average particle size of about 35???m. The chemical analysis showed an approximate formula of Rb_0.9432Fe₃(SO₄)_2.1245(OH)₆. The decomposition of jarosite in terms of solution pH was thermodynamically modeled using FACTSage by constructing the potential pH diagram at 298?K (25?°C). The E-pH diagram showed that the decomposition of jarosite leads to a goethite compound (FeO·OH) together with Rb⁺ and $ {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } $ ions. The experimental Rb-jarosite decomposition was carried out in alkaline solutions with five different Ca(OH)₂ concentrations. The decomposition process showed a so-called ??induction period?? followed by a progressive conversion period where Rb⁺ and $ {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } $ ions formed in the aqueous solutions, whereas calcium was incorporated in the solid residue and iron gave way to goethite. The kinetic analysis showed that this process can be represented by the shrinking core chemically controlled model with a reaction order with respect to Ca(OH)₂ equals 0.4342 and the calculated activation energy is 98.70?kJ mol^?C1.     

Decomposition kinetics of industrial jarosite in alkaline media for the recovery of precious metals by cyanidation

In the present study, the aqueous-slurry decomposition kinetics of industrial jarosite in alkaline media for the recovery of silver by cyanidation was investigated. For this purpose, aqueous-slurry decomposition experiments, using both NaOH and Ca(OH)₂ as alkalinising agents, were carried out in order to (1) study the effect of pH (i.e. 8, 9, 10 and11), contact time and temperature (i.e. 30, 40, 60 and 70°C) on jarosite decomposition; (2) elucidate the rate-determining step of the process kinetics when using NaOH or Ca(OH)₂, by applying the shrinking core model and Arrhenius equation and (3) study the effect of the aqueous-slurry decomposition on the recovery of silver by cyanidation. Results showed that when NaOH was used, the decomposition process was controlled by the chemical reaction with an activation energy of 40.42?kJ?mol^?1, whereas when Ca(OH)₂ was used, the decomposition was controlled by diffusion through a porous layer of CaCO₃ with an activation energy of 21.72?kJ?mol^?1. The alkaline decomposition emerges as a necessary step in order to recover up to 74% of the silver contained in the jarosite by cyanidation.     

Hematite formation from jarosite type compounds by hydrothermal conversion

Abstract

The hydrothermal conversion of K jarosite, Pb jarosite, Na jarosite, Na–Ag jarosite, AsO₄ containing Na jarosite and in situ formed K jarosite and Na jarosite to hematite was investigated. Potassium jarosite is the most stable jarosite species. Its conversion to hematite in the absence of Fe₂O₃ seed occurred only partially after 5 h reaction at >240°C. In the presence of Fe₂O₃ seed, the conversion to hematite was nearly complete within 2 h at 225°C and was complete at 240°C. The rate of K jarosite precipitation, in situ at 225°C in the presence of 50 g L^?1 Fe₂O₃ seed, is faster than its rate of hydrothermal conversion to hematite. In contrast, complete conversion of either Pb jarosite or Na–Pb jarosite to hematite and insoluble PbSO₄ occurs within 0·75 h at 225°C in the presence of 20 g L^?1 Fe₂O₃ seed. Dissolved Fe(SO₄)_1·5 either inhibits the conversion of Pb jarosite or forms Pb jarosite from any PbSO₄ generated. The hydrothermal conversion of Na–Ag jarosite to hematite was complete within 0·75 h at 225°C in the presence of 20 g L^?1 Fe₂O₃ seed. The Ag dissolved during hydrothermal conversion and reported to the final solution. However, the presence of sulphur or sulphide minerals caused the reprecipitation of the dissolved Ag. The conversion of AsO₄ containing Na jarosite at 225°C in the presence of 20 g L^?1 Fe₂O₃ seed was complete within 2 h, for H₂SO₄ concentrations <0·4M. Increasing AsO₄ contents in the Na jarosite resulted in a linear increase in the AsO₄ content of the hematite, and ～95% of the AsO₄ remained in the conversion product. Increasing temperatures and Fe₂O₃ seed additions significantly promote the hydrothermal conversion of in situ formed Na jarosite at 200–240°C. However, the conversion of previously synthesised Na jarosite seems to proceed to a greater degree than that of in situ formed Na jarosite.

On a examiné la conversion hydrothermale en hématite de la jarosite de K, de la jarosite de Pb, de la jarosite de Na, de la jarosite de Na-Ag, de la jarosite de Na contenant de l’AsO₄, et de la jarosite de K et de la jarosite de Na qui sont formées in situ. La jarosite de potassium est la plus stable des espèces de jarosite. Sa conversion en hématite ne se produisait que partiellement après 5 h de réaction à >240°C en l’absence d’amorce de Fe₂O₃. En présence d’amorce de Fe₂O₃, la conversion en hématite était presque complète à moins de 2 h à 225°C et était complète à 240°C. La vitesse de précipitation de la jarosite de K, in situ à 225°C en présence de 50 g L^?1 d’amorce de Fe₂O₃, est plus rapide que sa vitesse de conversion hydrothermale en hématite. Par contraste, la conversion complète soit de la jarosite de Pb ou de la jarosite de Na-Pb en hématite et en PbSO₄ insoluble se produit à moins de 0·75 h à 225°C en présence de 20 g L^?1 d’amorce de Fe₂O₃. Le Fe(SO₄)_1·5 dissous soit inhibe la conversion de la jarosite de Pb ou forme de la jarosite de Pb à partir de tout PbSO₄ produit. La conversion hydrothermale de la jarosite de Na-Ag en hématite était complète à moins de 0·75 h à 225°C en présence de 20 g L^?1 d’amorce de Fe₂O₃. L’Ag se dissolvait lors de la conversion hydrothermale et se rapportait dans la solution finale. Cependant, la présence de soufre ou de minéraux sulfurés avait pour résultat la re-précipitation de l’Ag dissous. La conversion de la jarosite de Na contenant de l’AsO₄ à 225°C en présence de 20 g L^?1 d’amorce de Fe₂O₃ était complète à moins de 2 h, avec des concentrations d’H₂SO₄ <0·4 M. L’augmentation de la teneur en AsO₄ de la jarosite de Na avait pour résultat une augmentation linéaire de la teneur en AsO₄ de l’hématite et ～95% de l’AsO₄ demeurait dans le produit de conversion. L’augmentation de la température et d’additions d’amorce de Fe₂O₃ favorisait significativement la conversion hydrothermale de la jarosite de Na qui est formée in situ à 220–240°C. Cependant, la conversion de la jarosite de Na synthétisée antérieurement semblait se produire à un plus grand degré que celle de la jarosite de Na qui est formée in situ.     

Reduction of iron oxides from liquid slags using a graphite rotating disc

Research work has been carried out on the reduction of FeO from liquid slags of the CaO‐FeO‐SiO₂ ternary system using a graphite rotating disc technique. The investigations were conducted on slags with a basicity of CaO/SiO₂ = 1.27 and FeO contents of 20 and 60%, at temperatures of 1350 and 1420°C. The calculated viscosity range for these slags is within 2.53 – 0.43 dPa·s. It has been found that the factor controlling the reduction process is diffusion of FeO towards the disc surface, both in the case of the reduction from the slag with 20% FeO and in the case of the reduction from the slag with 60% FeO fraction. The diffusion coefficient of FeO at the reduction temperature of 1350°C is of the order of magnitudes of 10^?7 cm²/s, while at 1420°C it reaches the order of 10^?6 cm²/s. The calculated thickness values for the limiting diffusion layers range from 8.54·10^?3 to 0.70·10^?3 cm. It has been found that with increasing reduction rate also Boudouard's reaction starts to be important to the overall reduction rate. The limiting reduction rate at which Boudouard's reaction starts to be important to the entire process is dependent on temperature, being approximately 10.0·10^?6 mol FeO/cm² s at 1350°C, and approximately 15.0·10^?6 mol FeO/cm² s at 1420°C.     

Role of Heat Transfer in Early Stage Decarburization of DRI in Slag

The gas generation from reactions between direct reduced iron (DRI) pellets and steelmaking slags is known to take place in two stages; (1) the reaction of FeO and carbon within DRI, i.e., pellet internal reaction, followed by (2) the reduction of slag FeO with DRI carbon at the pellet?Cslag interface, if any carbon remains from the first step. To understand the controlling mechanism of the reaction between FeO and C inside DRI, the rate of the gas release and the temperature of pellets suspended in a slag-free atmosphere were quantified. The results were used to determine the apparent thermal conductivity of DRI that showed values of approximately 0.5 to 2 W.m^?1.K^?1 for a temperature range of 573?K to 1273?K (300?°C to 1000?°C). Furthermore, it was found that the experimental gas evolution rates are consistent with the values predicted by a heat?Ctransfer based model, confirming that the FeO-C reaction within pellet is controlled by the rate of heat transfer from the slag to the DRI pellet.     

Kinetics of leaching of copper metal in copper(II)-ammonium sulphate solutions as determined by the rotating disc method

The influence of the concentration of copper(II)-ammine-sulphate complexes, temperature and the concentration of ammonia on the velocity of the leaching of copper metal in sulphate solutions was investigated by application of the rotating disc method.The results show that the following factors determine the velocity of the process: transport of copper(II) complexes to the reaction surface and the rate of the surface reaction (mixed control).An attempt was made to derive a semi-empirical equation describing the kinetics of the process. The value of the diffusion coefficient, calculated on the basis of the derived formula and the experimental data, is equal to (1.2 ± 0.1) × 10^?9 m² s^?1 (for solutions containing from 0.0012 to about 1 mol/l copper, 6.5 mol/l ammonia and 1.2 mol/l sulphates; temperature 25°C).The diffusion activation energy, determined in the range of temperatures from 15 to 50°C equals 30.1 ± 1.7 kJ/mole. This is surprisingly high especially in comparison with the activation energy of viscous flow determined at the same conditions, which is 15.9 ± 0.4 kJ/mole.Discussion of the results leads to the conclusion that free ammonia (the stoichiometric excess in relation to the amount necessary for a complete bonding of copper in a complex) does not participate in the electrode reaction. However, it diminishes the velocity of transport of copper complexes to the reaction surface.     

A Stacking Fault Energy Perspective into the Uniaxial Tensile Deformation Behavior and Microstructure of a Cr-Mn Austenitic Steel

A Cr-Mn austenitic steel was tensile strained in the temperature range 273 K (0 °C) ≤ T ≤ 473 K (200 °C), to improve the understanding on the role of stacking fault energy (SFE) on the deformation behavior, associated microstructure, and mechanical properties of low-SFE alloys. The failed specimens were studied using X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The SFE of the steel was estimated to vary between ~ 10 to 40 mJ/m² at the lowest and highest deformation temperatures, respectively. At the ambient temperatures, the deformation involved martensite transformation (i.e., the TRIP effect), moderate deformation-induced twinning, and extended dislocations with wide stacking faults (SFs). The corresponding SF probability of austenite was very high (~10^?2). Deformation twinning was most prevalent at 323 K (50 °C), also resulting in the highest uniform elongation at this temperature. Above 323 K (50 °C), the TRIP effect was suppressed and the incidence of twinning decreased due to increasing SFE. At elevated temperatures, fine nano-sized SF ribbons were observed and the SF probability decreased by an order (~10^?3). High dislocation densities (~10¹⁵ m^?2) in austenite were estimated in the entire deformation temperature range. Dislocations had an increasingly screw character up to 323 K (50 °C), thereafter becoming mainly edge. The estimated dislocation and twin densities were found to explain approximately the measured flow stress on the basis of the Taylor equation.     

Dynamic Strain Aging of Nickel-Base Alloys 800H and 690

The objective of the current investigation is to characterize the dynamic strain aging (DSA) behavior in alloys 800H and 690. Constant extension rate tests were conducted at strain rates in the range of 10^?4 s^?1 to 10^?7?s^?1and temperatures between 295?K and 673?K (22?°C and 400?°C), in an argon atmosphere. Maps for the occurrence of serrated flow as a function of strain rate and temperature were built for both alloys. The enthalpy of serrated flow appearance of alloy 800H was found to be 1.07?±?0.30?eV.     

Carburizing of Duplex Stainless Steel (DSS) Under Compression Superplastic Deformation

A new surface carburizing technique which combines superplastic deformation with superplastic carburizing (SPC) is introduced. SPC was conducted on duplex stainless steel under compression mode at a fixed 0.5?height reduction strain rates ranging from 6.25?×?10^?5?to 1?×?10^?3?s^?1?and temperature ranging from 1173?K to 1248?K (900?°C to 975?°C). The results are compared with those from conventional and non-superplastic carburizing. The results show that thick hard carburized layers are formed at a much faster rate compared with the other two processes. A more gradual hardness transition from the surface to the substrate is also obtained. The highest carburized layer thickness and surface hardness are attained under SPC process at 1248?K (975?°C) and 6.25?×?10^?5?s^?1?with a value of (218.3?±?0.5)???m and (1581.0?±?5.0) HV respectively. Other than that, SPC also has the highest scratch resistance.     

Reaction kinetics of an Al−Co intermetallic in Al-9Ti/SiC particle-reinforced composites

The reaction kinetics of an Al−Co intermetallic compound which forms around clumped cobalt sol-gel-coated SiC-reinforcing particles in an Al-9Ti matrix composite were studied over the temperature range of 500 °C to 600 °C. Growth of the reaction zone through the matrix is parabolic with respect to the square of the annealing time, and the rate constant follows and Arrhenius-type relationship with temperature. Over the temperatue range studied, the preexponential term for the rate constant is equal to 1.2×10¹² m²/s, and the activation energy equals 410±159 kJ/mol. A compositional analysis and application of moving boundary equations to the reaction zone growth determined the effective interdiffusion coefficient across the region as a function of temperature. At 500 °C, the effective interdiffusion coefficient across the reaction zone is equal to 2.7×10⁻¹⁷ m²/s. It was found that SiC-reinforcing particles were pushed through the matrix ahead of the moving interface in the solid state in a manner predicted by theory.     

Characterization and alkaline decomposition/cyanidation of beudantite–jarosite materials from Rio Tinto gossan ores

Jarosite-type minerals are the major silver carriers in the gossan ores from Rio Tinto (Spain). Two types of minerals were found: one corresponding to beudantite variable enriched in sulfate; the other is potassium jarosite containing various amounts of arsenate and lead. They are isostructural with cell parameters intermediate between those reported for end members. Silver is present in both jarosites as dilute solid solution (230 ppm Ag in average). The cyanidation of potassium jarosite in saturated Ca(OH)₂ at 70–100°C consists of two step in series: a slow step of alkaline decomposition followed by a fast step of Ag complexation from the decomposition solids. The alkaline decomposition is characterized by the simultaneous removal of sulfate and K ions and the formation of an amorphous hydroxy-arsenate of Fe, Pb and Ca. The kinetics are chemically controlled, with an activation energy of 86.5 kJ mol⁻¹. The nature of the alkaline decomposition of beudantite was similar but extremely slow at ≤100°C.     

Rate of the reduction of the iron oxides in red mud by hydrogen and converted gas

The drying and gas reduction of the iron oxides in the red mud of bauxite processing are studied. It is shown that at most 25% of aluminum oxide are fixed by iron oxides in this red mud, and the other 75% are fixed by sodium aluminosilicates. A software package is developed to calculate the gas reduction of iron oxides, including those in mud. Small hematite samples fully transform into magnetite in hydrogen at a temperature below 300°C and a heating rate of 500 K/h, and complete reduction of magnetite to metallic iron takes place below 420°C. The densification of a thin red mud layer weakly affects the character and temperature range of magnetizing calcination, and the rate of reduction to iron decreases approximately twofold and reduction covers a high-temperature range (above 900°C). The substitution of a converted natural gas for hydrogen results in a certain delay in magnetite formation and an increase in the temperature of the end of reaction to 375°C. In the temperature range 450–550°C, the transformation of hematite into magnetite in red mud pellets 1 cm in diameter in a converted natural gas is 30–90 faster than the reduction of hematite to iron in hydrogen. The hematite-magnetite transformation rate in pellets is almost constant in the temperature range under study, and reduction occurs in a diffusion mode. At a temperature of ～500°C, the reaction layer thickness of pellets in a shaft process is calculated to be ～1 m at a converted-gas flow rate of 0.1 m³/(m² s) and ～2.5 m at a flow rate of 0.25 m³/(m² s). The specific capacity of 1 m² of the shaft cross section under these conditions is 240 and 600 t/day, respectively. The use of low-temperature gas reduction processes is promising for the development of an in situ optimum red mud utilization technology.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics analyses of ZrB2 formation in molten aluminium alloys

Smelter grade aluminium can be used as a source for electrical conductor grade aluminium after the transition metal impurities such as zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), titanium (Ti) and chromium (Cr) have been removed. Zirconium (Zr), in particular, has a significant effect on the electrical conductivity of aluminium. In practice, the transition metal impurities are removed by adding boron-containing substances into the melt in the casthouse. This step is called boron treatment. The work presented in this paper, which focuses on the thermodynamics and kinetics of Zr removal from molten Al–1?wt-%Zr–0.23?wt-%B alloy, is part of a broader systematic study on the removal of V, Ti, Cr and Zr from Al melt through boron treatment carried out by the authors. The thermodynamic analyses of Zr removal through the formation of ZrB₂ were carried out in the temperature range of 675–900°C using the thermochemical package FactSage. It was predicted that ZrB₂ is stable compared to Al–borides (AlB₁₂, AlB₂) hence would form during boron treatment of molten Al–Zr–B alloys. Al–Zr–B alloys were reacted at 750?±?10°C for 60 minutes, and the change in the chemistry and microstructure were tracked and analysed at particular reaction times. The results showed that the reaction between Zr and AlB₁₂/B was fast as revealed by the formation of boride ring at the early minutes of reaction. The presence of black phase (AlB₁₂), i.e. the original source of B, after holding the melt for 60 minutes advocated that the reaction between Zr and AlB₁₂/B was incomplete, hence still not reached the equilibrium state. The kinetics data suggested a higher reaction rate at the early minutes (2 minutes) of reaction compared to at a later stage (2–60 minutes). Nevertheless, a simple single-stage liquid mass transfer controlled kinetic model can be used to describe the overall process kinetic. The analysis of integrated rate law versus reaction time revealed that the mass transfer coefficient (k_m) of Zr in molten alloy is 9.5?×?10^?4?m?s^?1, which is within a typical range (10^?3 to 10^?4?m?s^?1) observed in other metallurgical solid–liquid reactions. This study suggests that the overall kinetics of reaction was predominantly controlled by the mass transfer of Zr through the liquid aluminium phase.     

Extraction of nickel from ferromolybdenum leach residues

Abstract

The extraction of nickel from ferromolybdenum leach residues by sulphation roasting, water leaching and iron removal from subsequent nickel leach solutions was studied. Sulphation roasting and water leaching promote the reaction between sulphuric acid and the residue and decrease the silicon dissolution. Over 90% of Ni was leached. Ferric ions in the solution could be effectively removed as jarosite and ferric hydroxide. The recovery of nickel reached 88·3% under sulphation roasting with the sulphuric acid quality of 1472 kg t^?1 leach residue at 280°C for 4 h followed by iron removal with addition of 0·5 g NaClO₃, 6 g Na₂SO₄ and 10 g CaO/100 mL solution at 95°C for 2·5 h, while the concentration of iron in solution reduced to 0·38 from 56·6 g/L^?1.

On a étudié l’extraction du nickel à partir de résidu de lessivage de ferromolybdène par grillage sulfateur, lessivage à l’eau et enlèvement du fer des solutions obtenues de lessivage de nickel. Le grillage sulfateur et le lessivage à l’eau favorisent la réaction entre l’acide s ulfurique et le résidu et diminuent la dissolution de la silice. On a lessivé plus de 90% du Ni. On pouvait enlever efficacement de la solution les ions ferriques sous forme de jarosite et d’hydroxyde ferrique. La récupération du nickel atteignait 88·3% au moyen du grillage sulfateur, avec 1472 kg d’acide sulfurique par tonne de résidu de lessivage à 280°C pendant 4 h, suivi par l’enlèvement du fer avec l’addition de 0·5 g de NaClO₃, 6 g de Na₂SO₄ et 10 g de CaO par 100 mL de solution à 95°C pendant 2·5 h, la concentration du fer dans la solution étant réduite de 56·6 à 0·38 g L^?1.     

Oxidation kinetics of vanadium-bearing LD converter slag by mechanical activation

A thermogravimetric investigation was performed to evaluate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and the influence of mechanical activation on oxidation of vanadium-bearing LD (Linz–Donawitz) converter slag. Results indicate that the particle size of d_0.5 significantly decreased from 29?μm to 0.266?μm after activation, and the specific surface area based on the BET model increased from 1.324?m²/g to 3.289?mm²/g. Thermogravimetric investigations were separately performed at 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950 and 1000°C. Two distinct stages in the oxidation process were identified. The first stage was controlled by nucleation and growth and the second stage was controlled by 3D diffusion. However, the first stage relatively contributed more to the entire process than the second stage. Kinetic study also reveals that mechanical activation exhibited a significant effect on the oxidation of LD converter slag. Mechanical activation significantly reduced the roasting temperature and shortened the roasting time. The corresponding apparent activation energy E_a and frequency factor A changed from 13.01?kJ/mol to 6.59?kJ/mol and 0.247?min^?1 to 0.141?min^?1 for unmilled and milled slags, respectively.