Mass spectrometric determination of activities for alloys with complex vapor species: Bi-Pb and Bi-Tl

For solutions from which complex species vaporize (Bi₂, Si₂, Al₂O, Sb₄, and so forth) new methods of determining the thermodynamic properties from mass spectrometric data are demonstrated. In order to test the feasibility of these new techniques, experiments have been carried out on the liquid Bi-Pb and Bi-Tl systems for which adequate thermodynamic data are available. In evaluating the thermodynamic properties, the ion current ratiosI _Pb ⁺/IBi₂/+ andI _Tl ⁺/IBi₂/+ were employed,e.g. $$\log {\text{ }}\gamma _{{\text{Bi}}} {\text{ = - }}\mathop {\int {\frac{{N_{Pb} }}{{1{\text{ + }}N_{Pb} }}d} }\limits_{N_{Bi} = 1}^{N_{{\text{Bi}}} = N_{Bi} } {\text{ }}\left\{ {{\text{log}}\frac{{{\text{1}}_{{\text{Pb}}}^{\text{ + }} {\text{ }}N_{Bi}^2 }}{{I_{Bi2}^ + {\text{ }}N_{Pb} }}} \right\}$$ Measuring these particular ion current ratios eliminates errors resulting from the fragmentation of the complex vapor species in evaluating the thermodynamic properties. A dimer-monomer technique, which corrects for fragmentation, was also demonstrated. The results using these two independent approaches are in good agreement with each other as well as with previous investigations. The activity coefficients in both systems adhere to the quadratic formalism over large composition ranges,e.g. $$\begin{gathered} \log {\text{ }}\gamma _{{\text{Pb}}} {\text{ = - 0}}{\text{.255 }}N_{Bi}^2 {\text{ }}N_{{\text{Bi}}} {\text{< 0}}{\text{.8}} \hfill \\ \log {\text{ }}\gamma _{{\text{Tl}}} {\text{ = - 0}}{\text{.805 }}N_{Bi}^2 {\text{ }}N_{{\text{Bi}}} {\text{< 0}}{\text{.7}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$      

Kinetics of the Oxidation of Bismuthinite in Oxygen�CNitrogen Atmospheres

Bismuth is present in copper concentrates mainly as the mineral bismuthinite (Bi₂S₃). In some cases of smelting of concentrates, a substantial amount of bismuth can lead to contaminated copper cathodes. Thus, understanding the behavior of Bi₂S₃ at high temperatures is crucial to assessing the potential of bismuth removal in the pyrometallurgical process. Therefore, the oxidation of bismuthinite in mixtures of oxygen?Cnitrogen atmospheres was investigated using a thermogravimetric analysis technique. The results indicate that the oxidation process occurs through the following consecutive reactions: $$ \begin{gathered} {\text{First stage: }}{\text{Bi}}_{ 2} {\text{S}}_{ 3} \left( {\text{s,l}} \right) + 3{\text{O}}_{2} \left( {\text{g}} \right) = 2{\text{Bi}}\left( {\text{l}} \right) + 3{\text{SO}}_{ 2} \left( {\text{g}} \right) \hfill \\ {\text{Second stage: }}2{\text{Bi}}\left( {\text{l}} \right) + 3/2{\text{O}}_{2} \left( {\text{g}} \right) = {\text{Bi}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} \left( {\text{s,l}} \right) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ The kinetics of the oxidation of bismuthinite (first stage) was studied, and the model ln(1 ?C X) = ?Ck_app t describes the kinetics of this reaction well. The bismuthinite oxidation dependence on oxygen partial pressure was of 0.9 order, and the intrinsic kinetic constants were obtained in the temperature range of 873 K to 1273 K (600 °C to 1000 °C), which were used to determine the activation energy of 91 kJ/mol. The results indicate that the oxidation of bismuthinite is a process controlled by chemical reactions. From this study, it can be concluded that the removal of bismuth from the Bi₂S₃-containing concentrates through a mechanism involving gaseous bismuth compounds is not feasible during an oxidizing roasting and/or smelting of concentrates containing Bi₂S₃.     

The diffusion and solubility of oxygen in solid nickel

Solid-state electrochemical measurements using various experimental procedures were made with the double cell: $$ Ni + NiO|ZrO_2 + Y_2 O_3 |Ni + \underline O |ZrO_2 + Y_2 O_3 |Ni + NiO $$ to determine the diffusivity and thermodynamic functions of oxygen dissolved in solid nickel. Non-steady state diffusion of oxygen in the specimen was caused by applying a preselected potential between the reference and specimen electrodes and was monitored by measuring time-dependent potentials and/or currents. The following results were obtained for the diffusivity of oxygen and the solubility of oxygen in nickel in equilibrium with NiO: $$D{\text{ = 4}}{\text{.9 }} \times {\text{ 10}}^{{\text{ - 2}}} {\text{ exp}}\left( {{\text{ - }}\frac{{{\text{164 kJ/mole}}}}{{{\text{R}}T}}} \right){\text{cm}}^{\text{2}} /{\text{sec (850 to 1400 }}{}^{\text{o}}{\text{C)}}$$ $$C_{\text{O}}^s {\text{ = 8}}{\text{.3 exp}}\left( { - \frac{{55{\text{kJ/mole}}}}{{{\text{R}}T}}} \right){\text{at}}{\text{. pct (800 to 1000 }}{}^{\text{o}}{\text{C)}}$$ The thermodynamic and transport behaviors of oxygen in solid nickel were fairly well described by a simple quasi-regular model and an interstitial diffusion model, respectively.     

Determination of Gibbs Energy of Formation of Molybdenum-Boron Binary System by Electromotive Force Measurement Using Solid Electrolyte

The standard Gibbs energies of formation of Mo₂B, ??MoB, Mo₂B₅, and MoB₄ in the molybdenum-boron binary system were determined by measuring electromotive forces of galvanic cells using an Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ solid oxide electrolyte. The results are as follows: $$ \begin{aligned} \Updelta_{\text{f}} {\text{G}}^\circ \left( {{\text{Mo}}_{2} {\text{B}}} \right)/{\text{J}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} & = - 193100 + 44.10T \pm 700\left( {1198{\text{ K to }}1323{\text{ K}}\left( {925^\circ {\text{C to }}1050^\circ {\text{C}}} \right)} \right) \\ \Updelta_{\text{f}} {\text{G}}^\circ (\alpha {\text{MoB}})/{\text{J}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} & = - 164000 + 26.45T \pm 700\left( {1213{\text{ K to }}1328{\text{ K}}\left( {940^\circ {\text{C to }}1055^\circ {\text{C}}} \right)} \right) \\ \Updelta_{\text{f}} {\text{G}}^\circ \left( {{\text{Mo}}_{2} {\text{B}}_{5} } \right)/{\text{J}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} & = - 622500 + 117.0T \pm 3000\left( {1205{\text{ K to }}1294{\text{ K}}\left( {932^\circ {\text{C to }}1021^\circ {\text{C}}} \right)} \right) \\ \Updelta_{\text{f}} {\text{G}}^\circ \left( {{\text{MoB}}_{4} } \right)/{\text{J}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} & = - 387300 + 93.53T \pm 3000\left( {959{\text{ K to }}1153{\text{ K}}\left( {686^\circ {\text{C to }}880^\circ {\text{C}}} \right)} \right) \\ \end{aligned} $$ where the standard pressure is 1 bar (100 kPa).     

Free energies of formation of WC and W2C,and the thermodynamic properties of carbon in solid tungsten

The activity of carbon in the two-phase regions W + WC and W + W₂C has been obtained from the carbon content of iron rods equilibrated with mixtures of metal plus carbide powders. From this activity data the standard free energies of formation of WC and W₂C have been calculated to be ΔG _f ⁰(WC) = -10,100 + 1.19T ± 100 cal/mole (-42,300 + 4.98T ± 400 J/mole) (1150 to 1575 K) ΔG _f ⁰(W₂C) = - 7300 - 0.56T ± 100 cal/mole (- 30,500 - 2.34T ± 400 J/mole). (1575 to 1660 K) The temperature of the eutectoid reaction W₂C = W + WC was fixed at 1575 ± 5K. Using available data for the solubility of C in solid W, the relative partial molar free energy of C in the dilute solid solution was calculated to be $$\Delta \bar G_C^\alpha {\text{ = 23,000 }} - {\text{ }}[{\text{0}}{\text{.68 }} - R\ln X_C^\alpha ]{\text{ }}T \pm 3000 cal/mole (96,200 - [2.85 - R\ln X_C^\alpha ]{\text{ }}T \pm 12,600 J$$ The heat solution of C in W obtained was \(\Delta \bar H_C^\alpha {\text{ = 23,000 }} \pm {\text{ 5000 cal/mole (96,200 }} \pm {\text{ 20,000 J/mole)}}\) and the excess entropy for the interstitial solid solution, assuming that the carbon atoms are in the octahedral sites, \(\Delta \bar S_C^\alpha {\text{ = (}}xs,i{\text{) }} = - {\text{1}}{\text{.5 }} \pm {\text{ 2 cal/deg - mole (}} - {\text{6}}{\text{.3 }} \pm {\text{ 8 J/deg - mole)}}\) .     

Distribution Ratios of Phosphorus Between CaO-FeO-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Slags and Carbon-Saturated Iron

In order to effectively enhance the efficiency of dephosphorization, the distribution ratios of phosphorus between CaO-FeO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃/Na₂O/TiO₂ slags and carbon-saturated iron (\( L_{\text{P}}^{\text{Fe-C}} \)) were examined through laboratory experiments in this study, along with the effects of different influencing factors such as the temperature and concentrations of the various slag components. Thermodynamic simulations showed that, with the addition of Na₂O and Al₂O₃, the liquid areas of the CaO-FeO-SiO₂ slag are enlarged significantly, with Al₂O₃ and Na₂O acting as fluxes when added to the slag in the appropriate concentrations. The experimental data suggested that \( L_{\text{P}}^{\text{Fe-C}} \) increases with an increase in the binary basicity of the slag, with the basicity having a greater effect than the temperature and FeO content; \( L_{\text{P}}^{\text{Fe-C}} \) increases with an increase in the Na₂O content and decrease in the Al₂O₃ content. In contrast to the case for the dephosphorization of molten steel, for the hot-metal dephosphorization process investigated in this study, the FeO content of the slag had a smaller effect on \( L_{\text{P}}^{\text{Fe-C}} \) than did the other factors such as the temperature and slag basicity. Based on the experimental data, by using regression analysis, \( \log L_{\text{P}}^{\text{Fe-C}} \) could be expressed as a function of the temperature and the slag component concentrations as follows:

$$ \begin{aligned} \log L_{\text{P}}^{\text{Fe-C}} & = 0.059({\text{pct}}\;{\text{CaO}}) + 1.583\log ({\text{TFe}}) - 0.052\left( {{\text{pct}}\;{\text{SiO}}_{2} } \right) - 0.014\left( {{\text{pct}}\;{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} } \right) \\ \, & \quad + 0.142\left( {{\text{pct}}\;{\text{Na}}_{2} {\text{O}}} \right) - 0.003\left( {{\text{pct}}\;{\text{TiO}}_{2} } \right) + 0.049\left( {{\text{pct}}\;{\text{P}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{5} } \right) + \frac{13{,}527}{T} - 9.87. \\ \end{aligned} $$

     

Enthalpy of mixing of liquid Ni-Zr and Cu-Ni-Zr alloys

The partial (Δ and the integral (ΔH) enthalpies of mixing of liquid Ni-Zr and Cu-Ni-Zr alloys have been determined by high-temperature isoperibolic calorimetry at 1565 ± 5 K. The heat capacity (C _p) of liquid Ni₂₆Zr₇₄ has been measured by adiabatic calorimetry (C _p=53.5±2.2 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 1261±15 K). The integral enthalpy of mixing changes with composition from a small positive (Cu-Ni, ΔH (x _Ni=0.50, T=1473 to 1750 K)=2.9 kJ mol⁻¹) to a moderate negative (Cu-Zr; ΔH(x _Zr=0.46, T=1485 K)=−16.2 kJ mol⁻¹) and a high negative value (Ni-Zr; ΔH(x _Zr=0.37, T=1565 K)=−45.8 kJ mol⁻¹). Regression analysis of new data, together with the literature data for liquid Ni-Zr alloys, results in the following relationships in kJ mol⁻¹ (standard states: Cu (1), Ni (1), and Zr (1)):for Ni-Zr (1281≤T≤2270 K),

Reaction Mechanism and Kinetics of Enargite Oxidation at Roasting Temperatures

Roasting of enargite (Cu₃AsS₄) in the temperature range of 648?K to 898?K (375?°C to 625?°C) in atmospheres containing variable amounts of oxygen has been studied by thermogravimetric methods. From the experimental results of weight loss/gain data and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of partially reacted samples, the reaction mechanism of the enargite oxidation was determined, which occurred in three sequential stages:

1. $4{\text{Cu}}_{ 3} {\text{AsS}}_{ 4} \left( {\text{s}} \right){\text{ + 13O}}_{ 2} \left( {\text{g}} \right){\text{ = As}}_{ 4} {\text{O}}_{ 6} \left( {\text{g}} \right){\text{ + 6Cu}}_{ 2} {\text{S}}\left( {\text{s}} \right){\text{ + 10SO}}_{ 2} \left( {\text{g}} \right) $
2. $ 6{\text{Cu}}_{ 2} {\text{S}}\left( {\text{s}} \right){\text{ + 9O}}_{ 2} \left( {\text{g}} \right){\text{ = 6Cu}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}\left( {\text{s}} \right){\text{ + 6SO}}_{ 2} \left( {\text{g}} \right) $
3. $ 6{\text{Cu}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}\left( {\text{s}} \right){\text{ + 3O}}_{ 2} \left( {\text{g}} \right){\text{ = 12CuO}}\left( {\text{s}} \right) $

The three reactions occurred sequentially, each with constant rate, and they were affected significantly by temperature and partial pressure of oxygen. The kinetics of the first stage were analyzed by using the model X?=?k ₁ t. The first stage reaction was on the order of 0.9 with respect to oxygen partial pressure and the activation energy was 44?kJ/mol for the temperature range of 648?K to 898?K (375?°C to 625?°C).     

Iron redox equilibria in CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 and MgO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 slags

Measurements have been made of the ratio of ferric to ferrous iron in CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ and MgO-CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ slags at oxygen activities ranging from equilibrium with pCO₂/pCO≈0.01 to as high as air at temperatures of 1573 to 1773 K. At 1773 K, values are given by $\begin{gathered} \log {\text{ }}\left( {\frac{{Fe^{3 + } }}{{Fe^{2 + } }}} \right) = 0.3( \pm {\text{ }}0.02){\text{ }}Y + {\text{ }}0.45( \pm {\text{ }}0.01){\text{ }}\log \hfill \\ \left( {\frac{{pCO_2 }}{{pCO}}} \right) - 1.24( \pm {\text{ }}0.01) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $ where Y=(CaO+MgO)/SiO₂, for melts with the molar ratio of CaO/SiO₂=0.45 to 1.52, 10 to 15 mol pct Al₂O₃, up to 12 mol pct MgO (at CaO/SiO₂≈1.5), and with 3 to 10 wt pct total Fe. Available evidence suggests that, to a good approximation, these redox equilibria are independent of temperature when expressed with respect to pCO₂/pCO, probably from about 1573 to 1873 K. Limited studies have also been carried out on melts containing about 40 mol pct Al₂O₃, up to 12 mol pct MgO (at CaO/SiO₂≈1.5), and 3.6 to 4.7 wt pct Fe. These show a strongly nonideal behavior for the iron redox equilibrium, with $\frac{{Fe^{3 + } }}{{Fe^{2 + } }} \propto \left( {\frac{{pCO_2 }}{{pCO}}} \right)^{0.37} $ The nonideal behavior and the effects of basicity and Al₂O₃ concentration on the redox equilibria are discussed in terms of the charge balance model of alumino-silicates and the published structural information from Mössbauer and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy of quenched melts.     

Solubility product of aluminum nitride in 3 percent silicon iron

The solubility product of aluminum nitride in 3 pct silicon iron was determined experimentally from 1273 to 1473 K with results described by the equation $$\begin{gathered} \log [pct \underline {Al} _{\alpha (3Si) } pct \underline N _{\alpha (3Si)} ] \hfill \\ = {\text{--11,900/}}T + 3.56 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ whereT is in kelvins and concentrations are in weight percent. In the experiments the equilibrium distribution of nitrogen between purified gamma iron (fcc) and 3 pct silicon alpha iron (bcc) was determined between 1273 and 1523 K.     

Effect of Slag Composition on the Concentration of Al2O3 in the Inclusions in Si-Mn-killed Steel

The thermodynamic equilibria between CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-CaF₂-MgO(-MnO) slag and Fe-1.5 mass pct Mn-0.5 mass pct Si-0.5 mass pct Cr melt was investigated at 1873 K (1600 °C) in order to understand the effect of slag composition on the concentration of Al₂O₃ in the inclusions in Si-Mn-killed steels. The composition of the inclusions were mainly equal to (mol pct MnO)/(mol pct SiO₂) = 0.8(±0.06) with Al₂O₃ content that was increased from about 10 to 40 mol pct by increasing the basicity of slag (CaO/SiO₂ ratio) from about 0.7 to 2.1. The concentration ratio of the inclusion components, \( {{X_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }} \cdot X_{\text{MnO}} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{X_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }} \cdot X_{\text{MnO}} } {X_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }} }}} \right. \kern-0pt} {X_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }} }} \) , and the activity ratio of the steel components, \( {{a_{\text{Al}}^{2} \cdot a_{\text{Mn}} \cdot a_{\text{O}}^{2} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{a_{\text{Al}}^{2} \cdot a_{\text{Mn}} \cdot a_{\text{O}}^{2} } {a_{\text{Si}} }}} \right. \kern-0pt} {a_{\text{Si}} }} \) , showed a good linear relationship on a logarithmic scale, indicating that the activity coefficient ratio of the inclusion components, \( {{\gamma_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }}^{i} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\gamma_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }}^{i} } {\left( {\gamma_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }}^{i} \cdot \gamma_{\text{MnO}}^{i} } \right)}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left( {\gamma_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }}^{i} \cdot \gamma_{\text{MnO}}^{i} } \right)}} \) , was not significantly changed. From the slag-steel-inclusion multiphase equilibria, the concentration of Al₂O₃ in the inclusions was expressed as a linear function of the activity ratio of the slag components, \( {{a_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }}^{s} \cdot a_{\text{MnO}}^{s} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{a_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }}^{s} \cdot a_{\text{MnO}}^{s} } {a_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }}^{s} }}} \right. \kern-0pt} {a_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }}^{s} }} \) on a logarithmic scale. Consequently, a compositional window of the slag for obtaining inclusions with a low liquidus temperature in the Si-Mn-killed steel treated in an alumina ladle is recommended.     

The oxygen potential of the systems Fe+FeCr2O4+Cr2O3 and Fe+FeV2O4+V2O3 in the temperature range 750–1600°C

From electromotive force (emf) measurements using solid oxide galvanic cells incorporating ZrO₂-CaO and ThO₂?YO_1.5 electrolytes, the chemical potentials of oxygen over the systems Fe+FeCr₂O₄+Cr₂O₃ and Fe+FeV₂O₄+V₂O₃ were calculated. The values may be represented by the equations: $$\begin{gathered} 2Fe\left( {s,1} \right) + O_2 \left( g \right) + 2Cr_2 O_3 \left( s \right) \to 2FeCr_2 O_4 \left( s \right) \hfill \\ \Delta \mu _{O_2 } = - 151,400 + 34.7T\left( { \pm 300} \right) cal \hfill \\ = - 633,400 + 145.5T\left( { \pm 1250} \right) J \left( {750 to 1536^\circ C} \right) \hfill \\ \Delta \mu _{O_2 } = - 158,000 + 38.4T\left( { \pm 300} \right) cal \hfill \\ = - 661,000 + 160.5T\left( { \pm 1250} \right) J \left( {1536 to 1700^\circ C} \right) \hfill \\ 2Fe\left( {s,1} \right) + O_2 \left( g \right) + 2V_2 O_3 \left( s \right) \to 2FeV_2 O_4 \left( s \right) \hfill \\ \Delta \mu _{O_2 } = - 138,000 + 29.8T\left( { \pm 300} \right) cal \hfill \\ = - 577,500 + 124.7T\left( { \pm 1250} \right) J \left( {750 to 1536^\circ C} \right) \hfill \\ \Delta \mu _{O_2 } = - 144,600 + 33.45T\left( { \pm 300} \right) cal \hfill \\ = - 605,100 + 140.0T\left( { \pm 1250} \right) J \left( {1536 to 1700^\circ C} \right) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ . At the oxygen potentials corresponding to Fe+FeCr₂O₄+Cr₂O₃ equilibria, the electronic contribution to the conductivity of ZrO₂?CaO electrolyte was found to affect the measured emf. Application of a small 60 cycle A.C. voltage with an amplitude of 50 mv across the cell terminals reduced the time required to attain equilibrium at temperatures between 750 to 950°C by approximately a factor of two. The second law entropy of iron chromite obtained in this study is in good agreement with that calculated from thermal data. The entropies of formation of these spinel phases from the component oxides can be correlated to cation distribution and crystal field theory.     

Thermodynamics of dilute bcc Fe-Si alloys

The thermodynamic properties of silicon in the α-phase of the Fe-Si system in the region 0.028 <x _Si < 0.084 and 1100 < °C < 1370 has beem measured by the emf cell Mo, Si(s) | SiO₂-Li₂O | (Si-Fe)(s), Mo. The results are expressed in the form $$\log {\text{ }}\gamma _{Si}^\alpha {\text{ = 1}}{\text{.19 }} - {\text{7070/}}T + [ - 6.30 + 18,300/T]x_{Si} $$      

Leaching of cinnabar with HCl-thiourea solutions as the basis of a process for mercury obtention

The kinetic study of nonoxidative leaching of cinnabar concentrate ore in aqueous hydrochloric acid-thiourea solutions is presented. The dissolution rates were investigated over a temperature range of 60 to 100 °C, at an acid concentration of 0 to 5 M and thiourea concentration ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 M at atmospheric pressure.The dissolution rate is of the second order for thiourea concentration, first order for HCl in the concentration range of 0 to 2 M, and zero order for HCl concentration above 3 M. An activation energy of 53.6 kJ/mole was found. To obtain mercury, the leaching solution was treated electrolytically, with metallic mercury depositing on the cathode and thiourea oxidizing on the anode to formamidine disulfide. The spent electrolyte may be recycled to the leaching reactor. In the leaching reaction formamidine disulfide is reduced to thiourea by the H₂S generated in the cinnabar attack according to:

$$\begin{gathered} HgS + 2HCl + 2CS(NH_2 )_2 \to HgCl_2 \cdot 2CS(NH_2 )_2 + H_2 S \hfill \\ H_2 S + \mathop C\limits_{\mathop {||}\limits_{NH} }^{\mathop |\limits^{NH_3^ + } } - S - S - \mathop C\limits_{\mathop {||}\limits_{NH} }^{\mathop |\limits^{NH_3^ + } } \to 2CS(NH_2 )_2 + S^ \circ + 2H^ + \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$

No change was found in leaching power after four complete cycles in laboratory-scale experiments. The single byproduct is elemental sulfur.

     

Sulfate Formation and Decomposition of Nickel Concentrates

Nickel sulfide concentrates from two Canadian nickel concentrators were investigated to improve the understanding of SO₂ formation and release during processing. The concentrates were heated in gases of various oxygen concentrations up to 1573 K (1300 °C) in a thermal gravimetric analysis unit to simulate what may take place during calcine collection and processing. The resulting SO₂ gases were also measured. It was determined that during oxidation, there are competing reactions, such as \( 3{\text{FeS}} + 5{\text{O}}_{2} = {\text{Fe}}_{3} {\text{O}}_{4} + 3{\text{SO}}_{2} \) leading to mass loss, or \( 2{\text{FeS}} + 5{\text{O}}_{2} + {\text{SO}}_{2} = {\text{Fe}}_{2} \left( {{\text{SO}}_{4} } \right)_{3} \) causing mass gain. At temperatures up to approximately 973 K (700 °C), sulfates were formed readily, whereas at higher temperatures, they would decompose, evolving SO₂. By lowering the oxygen content in the surrounding gas, the sulfates decomposed more readily. In an argon or hydrogen atmosphere or in vacuum, it is possible to enhance the sulfate decomposition greatly, possibly allowing for reduced SO₂ emissions from the electric furnaces.