Reactor for the Oxidation of Galena in Ammonium Carbonate Solution

Anodic behaviour of galena in ammonium carbonate solution and products of anodic reaction resulting in passivation have been studied by electrochemical technologies including ring-disc electrode. The electrochemical dissolution parameters of sulfides have been measured using short circuit cells consisting of massive mineral electrodes. The effects of impurities in galena such as pyrite and pyrrhotite on converting it to lead carbonate have been examined. The conversion can be accelerated by the addition of a little cupric ion to the ammonium carbonate solution. A suitable reactor for the conversion is a propeller-agitated tank without baffles which has been confirmed in large scale experiments with 50 kg ore.