Hematite Production from a Zinc Electrolyte by Galvanic Stripping and Pyroconversion

Abstract

Iron is a harmful impurity in many zinc bearing industrial streams. in zinc hydrometallurgy, iron is currently removed by precipitation, though with generation of an iron bearing waste. Galvanic stripping is capable of removing iron from the hydrometallurgical zinc extraction process with the production of a concentrated iron solution instead of a harmful waste as jarosite. Galvanic stripping of iron was investigated using D2EHPA as extradant, a zinc alloy as reductant and a suitable acid as a stripping agent. Since the process is complex, the effect of pH on the process response (iron removal, zinc loading, selectivity index, stoichiometric index and rate) was studied by continuous flow laboratory testing. Hematite could be produced by ferrous salt conversion at intermediate temperatures. It was found that pH is a critical variable to control iron removal and iron-zinc separation. a compromise has to be reached among the pH, selectivity, iron-recovery and stoichiometry variables in order to satisfy other operational or economic criteria. Humidity and temperature are the most important variables that control the pyroconversion efficiency. Ironmaking hematite powder is pure and has only trace amounts of deleterious impurities. Mass balance calculations suggest the viability of this new route to remove iron without jarosite generation.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 Curran Assocaites Inc., All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2005

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