The kinetics of dissolution of covellite in acidified ferric sulphate solutions

Abstract

Pure synthetic CuS disks and high-grade natural covellite were dissolved in acidified ferric sulphate solutions in the temperature range 25 to 95°C. For both materials, the rates were relatively slow and increased during the initial stages of the dissolution, eventually becoming nearly linear. The activation energy, as determined from the initial dissolution rates of the synthetic covellite, was 17.8 ± 2.0 kcal/mole. Microscopic examination of both the natural and the synthetic sulphide revealed that the attack occurred preferentially in certain areas. It was felt that the progressive development of such pits was responsible for the gradual rate increase observed during the initial leaching stage. From 0 to 6° of the leached sulphur reported in the sulphate form. The rate of copper dissolution decreased sharply with increasing ferrous sulphate concentrations in the leaching medium. The rate varied directly with the ferric concentration for initial concentrations below 0.005 M Fe³⁺ but was insensitive to higher ferric strengths. Natural covellite dissolved at approximately the same rate and with essentially the same temperature dependence as the synthetic material. The rate controlling step for the dissolution of CuS was felt to be a chemical reaction occurring on the surface of the sulphide.

Résumé

Des disques de CuS synthétique pur et de la covelline naturelle de haute qualité ont été dissous dans des solutions acidifiées de sulfate ferrique entre 25 et 95°C. Pour les deux matériaux, les vitesses étaient relativement lentes et augmentaient durant la période initiale de dissolution, pour finalement devenir presque linéaires. L'énergie d'activation, déterminée à partir de la vitesse de dissolution initiale de la covelline synthétique était de 17.8 ± 2.0 kcal/mole. L'examen microscopique des sulfures naturel et synthétique a révélé que l'attaque se produit de préférence dans certaines régions. On pense que le développement progressif de telles piqûres etait responsable de l'accroissement graduel observé durant le lavage initial. Zéro à 6% du soufre dissous l' était sous forme de sulfate. La vitesse de dissolution du cuivre diminuait rapidement avec l'accroissement de concentration en sulfate ferreux dans la solution. La vitesse variait directement avec la concentration ferrique pour des concentrations initiales inférieures à 0.005 M Fe³⁺, et était insensible aux plus fortes concentrations ferriques. La covelline naturelle se dissolvait avec approximativement la même vitesse, et avec la meme dépendance de la température que le matériau synthétique. On pense que l' étape contrôlant la vitesse de dissolution du CuS est une réaction chimique se produisant à la surface du sulfure.     

The kinetics of dissolution of bornite in acidified ferric sulfate solutions

Sintered disks of synthetic bornite were dissolved in acidified ferric sulfate solutions at temperatures ranging from 5δ to 94δC. The dissolution occurs in two stages; in the first a nonstoichiometric bornite with up to 25 pct deficiency of copper is formed. In the second, the nonstoichiometric bornite is converted to chalcopyrite and elemental sulfur, which accumulates on the disk surface. At temperatures below 35°C, the reaction follows parabolic kinetics and stops at the nonstoichiometric bornite stage. At higher temperatures it continues through to chalcopyrite and follows linear kinetics. Both the parabolic and linear processes have activation energies of 5 to 6 kcal per mole. At higher temperatures the sensitivity of the reaction rate to changes in stirring velocity indicates control by diffusion through the liquid boundary layer. Natural and synthetic bornite dissolve by the same process and at essentially the same rate.     

The kinetics of dissolution of cubanite in aqueous acidic ferric sulfate solutions

When sintered disks of synthetic cubanite (CuFe₂S₃) were leached in acidified ferric sulfate solutions, the following reaction stoichiometry was observed: CuFe₂S₃+3Fe₂(SO₄)₃?CuSO₄+8FeSO₄+3S Over the temperature range 45° to 90°C, the reaction displayed linear kinetics that were interpreted as indicating rate control by some reaction occurring at the surface of the cubanite. The apparent activation energy for the dissolution process is 11.6±0.7 kcal per mole. The dissolution rate increases steadily with increasing ferric concentration, but decreases with increasing strengths of either H₂SO₄ or FeSO₄. The addition of either NaCl or HCl to the leaching solutions substantially catalyzes the rate of cubanite dissolution. Natural cubanite appears to dissolve like the synthetic material.     

Refractory behaviour of two sphalerite concentrates to dissolution in ferric sulphate solutions

The dissolution of concentrates from the Rosh Pinah and Black Mountain deposits failed to exceed a conversion of 50% zinc to solution after 5 hours at 80°C with 0.5 M Fe (III) in an acidic ferric sulphate solution. The final conversion was proportional to the particle size, suggesting that the problem concerned a surface phenomenon. Removal of the sulphur product-layer did not result in any additional dissolution. X-ray diffraction analysis suggested the formation of an insoluble PbSO₄ or lead jarosite coating. These concentrates both have lead contents (about 2%) higher than those of concentrates (about 0.4%) studied previously which dissolve beyond 90%. Neither concentrate displayed passivation in ferric chloride solutions in which basic lead sulphates are soluble. Electron microprobe analysis was unable to detect a significant layer of material covering the leached particles.     

Leaching of bornite in acidified ferric chloride solutions

In an acidified ferric chloride solution, bornite leaches in two stages of reaction with the first being relatively much more rapid than the second; the first terminates at 28 pct copper dissolution. The first-stage dissolution reaction is electrochemical and is mixed kinetics-controlled; ferric-ion transfer through the solution boundary layer and reduction on the surface to release Cu²⁺ into solution are both important in controlling the rate. The concentration of labile Cu⁺ in the bornite lattice governs the potential of the surface reaction, and, once Cu⁺ is depleted from the original bornite, stage-I reaction ceases. The solid reaction intermediate formed is Cu₃FeS₄. Minute subcrystallites formed at the latter part of stage I leach topochemically in stage II. This reaction which commences at 28 pct Cu dissolution is characterized by a change in mechanism at about 40 pct copper dissolution, though the overall chemical equation for reaction is unchanged in stage II; cupric and ferrous ions and sulfur as a solid residue are products of reaction. The region 28 to about 40 pct Cu dissolution is designated as a transition period to stage-II reaction. Reaction rate in this period is interpreted as being controlled by reduction of Fe³⁺ on active product sulfur surface sites, and hence the reaction rate is controlled by the rate of nucleation and growth of sulfur on the Cu₃FeS₄ intermediate surfaces. Strain in the Cu₃FeS₄ crystal lattice is released during this period by diffusion from the lattice of Cu⁺ remaining from the labile copper initially present in the bornite. After about 40 pct Cu dissolution the rate of reaction is controlled by diffusion through the fully formed sulfur layer in an equiaxial geometrically controlled reaction.     

The kinetics of dissolution of chalcopyrite in ferric ion media

The kinetics of dissolution of chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) in ferric chloride-hydrochloric acid and in ferric sulfate-sulfuric acid solutions have been investigated using the rotating disk technique. Over the temperature range 50 to 100?C, linear kinetics were observed in the chloride media while nonlinear kinetics were noted in the sulfate system. The apparent activation energy in the chloride system was about 11 kcal/mole. The rate increased with increasing ferric chloride concentrations but was insensitive to the concentrations of hydrochloric acid, the ferrous chloride reaction product and “inert? magnesium or lithium chlorides. Cupric chloride substantially accelerated the rate. Small amounts of sulfate in an otherwise all chloride system greatly reduce the chalcopyrite leaching rate; still larger amounts of sulfate make the system behave essentially like the slower-reacting ferric sulfate medium.     

The kinetics of dissolution of sphalerite in ferric chloride solution

The dissolution of sphalerite in acidic ferric chloride solution was investigated in the temperature range 320 to 360 K. Both sized particles from three sources and polished flat surfaces were used as samples. The effect of stirring rate, temperature, ferric and ferrous ion concentration, purity, and particle size on the dissolution rate were determined. During the initial stages of the process chemical reaction at the mineral surface is rate controlling while during the later stages diffusion through the product sulfur layer is rate controlling. Overall the process follows the mixed-control model embodying both chemical reaction and diffusion. The activation energy for the dissolution of sphalerite particles was found to be 46.9 kJ/mol.     

The kinetics of dissolution of chalcopyrite in ferric ion media

The kinetics of dissolution of chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) in ferric chloride-hydrochloric acid and in ferric sulfate-sulfuric acid solutions have been investigated using the rotating disk technique. Over the temperature range 50 to 100‡C, linear kinetics were observed in the chloride media while nonlinear kinetics were noted in the sulfate system. The apparent activation energy in the chloride system was about 11 kcal/mole. The rate increased with increasing ferric chloride concentrations but was insensitive to the concentrations of hydrochloric acid, the ferrous chloride reaction product and “inert≓ magnesium or lithium chlorides. Cupric chloride substantially accelerated the rate. Small amounts of sulfate in an otherwise all chloride system greatly reduce the chalcopyrite leaching rate; still larger amounts of sulfate make the system behave essentially like the slower-reacting ferric sulfate medium.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidative dissolution of a zinc sulphide concentrate in ferric sulphate solutions

The kinetics of the oxidative dissolution of a zinc sulphide (sphalerite) concentrate was studied. It was observed that the dissolution of the concentrate continued beyond 90% conversion in two hours at 80°C. The kinetics of dissolution are successfully described by an electrochemical mechanism in which the charge transfer from the solid to the oxidant is rate-limiting. The rate of reaction is proportional to the sum of the concentrations of the Fe³⁺ (aq) and FeHSO₄²⁺ complexes with a reaction order of one-half. The addition of Fe (II) to the solution had an indirect effect on the reaction rate, by decreasing the concentrations of the electro-active ions. Addition of ZnSO₄ did not affect the reaction rate.     

Kinetics of galena dissolution in ferric chloride solutions

A leaching investigation of galena with ferric chloride has been carried out as a function of concentration of ferric chloride and sodium chloride, temperature, and particle size. Three size fractions were considered in this investigation, namely, 48 × 65, 35 × 48, and 28 × 35 mesh. The concentration ranges of ferric chloride and sodium chloride used in this investigation were 0 to 0.25 M and 0 to 3 M, respectively. The reaction rate mechanism has been discussed in terms of a shrinking core model developed for cubic systems. Mass transport of ferric chlorocomplex through the product sulfur layer appears to be responsible for establishing the overall leaching rate under most of the conditions used in this investigation. The apparent activation energy for the leaching of 28 × 35 mesh galena with 0.1 M FeCl₃, 1 M HC1, and 3.0 M NaCl was found to be about 8.05 kcal/mol (33.7 kJ/mol), which was partially contributed by diffusion and partially by the heat of reaction of the formation of ferric chlorocomplexes. Rate of dissolution at both 50° and 90 °C is greatly affected by ferric chloride concentration up to 0.2 M and is essentially constant with ferric chloride concentration above this value.     

The dissolution of chalcopyrite in ferric sulfate and ferric chloride media

The literature on the ferric ion leaching of chalcopyrite has been surveyed to identify those leaching parameters which are well established and to outline areas requiring additional study. New experimental work was undertaken to resolve points still in dispute. It seems well established that chalcopyrite dissolution in either ferric chloride or ferric sulfate media is independent of stirring speeds above those necessary to suspend the particles and of acid concentrations above those required to keep iron in solution. The rates are faster in the chloride system and the activation energy in that medium is about 42 kJ/mol; the activation energy is about 75 kJ/mol in ferric sulfate solutions. It has been confirmed that the rate is directly proportional to the surface area of the chalcopyrite in both chloride and sulfate media. Sulfate concentrations, especially FeSO₄ concentrations, decrease the leaching rate substantially; furthermore, CuSO₄ does not promote leaching in the sulfate system. Chloride additions to sulfate solutions accelerate slightly the dissolution rates at elevated temperatures. It has been confirmed that leaching in the ferric sulfate system is nearly independent of the concentration of Fe³⁺, ka[Fe³⁺]^0.12. In ferric chloride solutions, the ferric concentration dependence is greater and appears to be independent of temperature over the interval 45 to 100 °C.     

The dissolution of sphalerite in ferric sulfate media

The dissolution of sphalerite, (Zn,Fe)S, in ferric sulfate media was investigated using closely sized fractions of crushed sphalerite crystals. Linear kinetics were observed, and the rate increased in proportion to the surface area, as the average particle size of the sphalerite decreased. The predominant reaction products are ZnSO₄, FeSO₄, and elemental sulfur. The leaching rate increases with increasing temperature, and the apparent activation energy is 44 kJ/mol. The relatively high apparent activation energy suggests that the rate is chemically controlled, a conclusion supported by the insensitivity of the rate of the rotation speed that was observed in complementary rotating disk experiments. The rate increases as the 0.3 to 0.4 power of the Fe(SO₄)_1.5 concentration, and is nearly independent of the pulp density, in the presence of a stoichiometric excess of ferric sulfate. In 0.3 M Fe(SO₄)_1.5 media, the rate increases with increasing acid concentrations >0.1 M H₂SO₄, but is insensitive to more dilute acid concentrations. In the absence of ferric ions, the rate increases rapidly with increasing H₂SO₄ concentrations, and relatively rapid rates are observed in solutions containing >0.5 M H₂SO₄. The rate decreases with increasing initial concentrations of ZnSO₄, MgSO₄, or FeSO₄ in the ferric sulfate leaching solution, and this emphasizes the importance of maintaining the dissolved iron in a fully oxidized state in a commercial leaching operation.     

The dissolution of galena in ferric chloride media

The dissolution of galena (PbS) in ferric chloride-hydrochloric acid media has been investigated over the temperature range 28 to 95 °C and for alkali chloride concentrations from 0 to 4.0 M. Rapid parabolic kinetics were observed under all conditions, together with predominantly (>95 pet) elemental sulfur formation. The leaching rate decreased slightly with increasing FeCl₃ concentrations in the range 0.1 to 2.0 M, and was essentially independent of the concentration of the FeCl₂ reaction product. The rate was relatively insensitive to HCl concentrations <3.0 M, but increased systematically with increasing concentrations of alkali or alkaline earth chlorides. Most significantly, the leaching rate decreased sharply and linearly with increasing initial concentrations of PbCl₂ in the ferric chloride leaching media containing either 0.0 or 3.0 M NaCl. Although the apparent activation energy was in the range 40 to 45 kJ/mol (∼10 kcal/mol), this value was reduced to 16 kJ/mol (3.5 kcal/mol) when the influence of the solubility of lead chloride on the reaction rate was taken into consideration. The experimental results are consistent with rate control by the outward diffusion of the PbCl₂ reaction product through the solution trapped in pores in the constantly thickening elemental sulfur layer formed on the surface of the galena.     

Reactivity comparison of Australian chalcopyrite concentrates in acidified ferric solution

The leaching of chalcopyrite from several Australian chalcopyrite concentrates by the reaction CuFeS₂ + 4 Fe(III) + Cu(II) + 5 Fe(II) + 2 S⁰ obeyed parabolic kinetics in acidified nitrate solution between 25 and 40°C. The chalcopyrite reactivity was dependent on the mineral composition of the concentrate: the presence of pyrite accelerated the reaction markedly, but sphalerite and bismuthinite slowed it slightly. Galvanic interaction between minerals cannot account for this change: instead, the associated minerals must influence the rate determining diffusion of the lattice elements within the chalcopyrite crystal.     

An investigation into the leaching kinetics of cobaltite ore with ferric sulfate solutions

A method for the extraction of cobalt from cobalt-arsenic-sulfide (cobaltite) ores or concentrates has been identified. The method utilizes an atmospheric oxygen-acidic ferric sulfate leach, at temperatures up to 373 K (100°C), to place the cobalt in solution. Extraction of 80 pct of the cobalt was obtained within 24 h and the tests indicate that greater and more rapid extractions are possible. Experiments were performed to assess the effects of temperature, ferric concentration, acid concentration, particle size, oxygen addition, and silver addition on the kinetics of cobaltite and chalcopyrite dissolution. formerly Graduate Student, University of Idaho     

The kinetics of leaching galena with ferric nitrate

The kinetics of leaching galena with ferric nitrate as oxidant has been studied. Experimental results indicate that the rate of galena dissolution is controlled by surface chemical reaction. Rate is proportional to the square root of the concentration of ferric ion. The addition of more than one mole/liter sodium nitrate decreases reaction rate. With nitrate additions below this concentration, rate either remains constant or is slightly enhanced. An activation energy of 47 kJ/mol was measured, and rate is proportional to the inverse of the initial size of galena particles. These results are explained in terms of mixed electrochemical control. The anodic reaction involves the oxidation of galena to lead ion and elemental sulfur, and the cathodic reaction involves the reduction of ferric ion to ferrous ion.     

The dissolution of gold in acidic solutions of thiourea

In order to evaluate the potential of acidic thiourea as a reagent for leaching gold, a study was made of the dissolution of gold in acidic solutions of thiourea containing various oxidants. Experiments were conducted on rotating disks of pure gold and on ground gold ores. The chemical oxidants used included iron(III), hydrogen peroxide, oxygen and formamidine disulphide; the latter reagent was formed in situ by the action of both hydrogen peroxide and dissolved oxygen on thiourea. Gold was observed to dissolve in these solutions at rates which approached the limiting diffusion controlled rate. Iron(III) as the oxidant caused the most rapid initial rate of dissolution of gold, but this rate soon decreased because of the reaction between iron(III) and thiourea; this resulted in the consumption of an excessive amount of thiourea which made the use of iron(III) as the oxidant unattractive in any ore leaching system based upon the use of thiourea as leaching agent.The results observed in the rotating disk study were applied to the leaching of crushed ores. A large proportion of the oxidant necessary for the extraction of the gold was derived from the ore itself; the remainder of the oxidant required could be supplied as hydrogen peroxide during preparation of the leach liquor, and by agitation of the slurry by a flow of air. When solutions containing 1.2 M thiourea were used it was possible to extract the gold from an ore within one hour; under these conditions the consumption of thiourea was about 1.4 kg thiourea per ton of ore treated. This figure could be reduced to 0.4 kg thiourea/ton if 0.1 M thiourea was used; complete extraction of the gold then occurred within eight hours.Gold can be leached at a much greater rate by acidic solutions of thiourea than is possible by conventional cyanidation techniques. However on economic grounds the latter technique must be preferred unless a really rapid rate of dissolution of gold is required.