International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Open System Leaching of Sphalerite in Butanoic Acid Solution and Empirical Analysis of Zinc Extraction Based on Initial Solution pH, Leaching Time and Ore Mass-input

    , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, NIGERIA
  • 2Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, NIGERIA

Res.J.chem.sci., Volume 3, Issue (5), Pages 25-31, May,18 (2013)

Abstract

This paper presents an open system leaching of sphalerite in butanoic acid solution. Empirical analysis of extracted zinc concentration based on constant leaching time and sphalerite mass-input as well as varying initial solution pH was carried out. The three factorial derived model: &bita;=[α-1(α0.91+1.55linθ+0.3γ2)]3shows that the extracted zinc concentration increases with decrease in the initial solution pH even at constant leaching time and ore mass-input. This is attributed to the fact that at lower solution pH, the concentration of H+ (which is the principal attacking species) in the solution increases and so increases the rate of interaction between H and S2- to form HS and metallic zinc. The validity of the derived model is shown by the expression α3√=α;0.91+1.55linθ+0.3γ2 where both sides of the expression are approximately equal. Computational analysis of results of extracted zinc concentration show that the average extracted zinc concentration per unit minute of leaching as obtained from experiment, derived model and regression model are 0.5627, 0.5669 and 0.5627 mg/kg min-1 respectively. Similarly, average extracted zinc concentration per unit leaching solution pH as obtained from experiment, derived model and regression model are 14.5413, 14.6586 and 14.5413 mg/kgrespectively. Also, average extracted zinc concentration per unit ore mass-input as obtained from experiment, derived model and regression model are 13.5047, 13.6041 and 13.5047 mg/kg g-1 respectively. Statistical analysis of results of extracted zinc concentration indicates that the standard error in predicting the extracted zinc concentration (using results from derived model, regression model and experiment) for each value of the initial solution pH are 0.2378, 4 x 10-5, and 1.4677 % respectively. The maximum deviation of the model from experimental values is less than 4.5% which implies 95.5% operational confidence level.

References

  1. Palachy J., US Geological Survey, Minerals National Information Centre, Reston VA 20192, USA (1997)
  2. Nickel E.H. and Grice J.D., The IMA commission on new minerals and mineral names: Procedures and guidelines on mineral nomenclature, The Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 10-20 (1998)
  3. Jena P.K. and Brocchi E.A., Extraction of copper from salobo (Bazil) Chalcopyrite concentrate and aqueous slurries thereof by chlorination with chlorine gas, Trans Instn. Min.Mettall (Sec C: mineral Processing Ext. metal), 101 (Jan. – April 1992) (1992)
  4. Peters E., The physical chemistry of hydrometallurgy, in proceeding of international symposium on hydrometallurgy, Chicago, Evans D.J.I. and Shoemaker R.S. (eds), chapter 10, 227-230 (1973)
  5. Ekinci Z., Colack S., Cakici A. and Sarac H., Mineral Engineering, 287-290 (1998)
  6. Cotton F.A. and Wilkinson G., Advanced Inorganic Chemistry: A Comprehensive Text, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 304-306 (1980)
  7. Allimarin I.P., Fadeeva V.I. and Dorokha A., (Translation Ad. Boris Spivakov) E.N Lecture (1976)
  8. Adebayo A. Ipinmoroti O.K. and Ajayi O.O., Leaching of Sphalerite with Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Acid Solutions, J. of Min. Mater. Charact. Eng., 167-177 2006)
  9. Olubami P.A. Borode J.O. and Ndlovu S., Sulphuric Acid Leaching of Zinc and Copper from Nigerian Complex Sulphide Ore in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide, Journal of the Southern African Inst. of Mining and Metallurg,y106, 765-769 (2006)
  10. Verbaan B. and Crundwell F. K.,An electrochemical model for the leaching of a sphalerite concentrate, Hydrometallurgy, 16, 345-359 (1986)
  11. Nwoye C.I. and Mbuka I.E., Model for Assessment and Computational Analysis of the Concentration of Zinc Dissolved during Leaching of Sphalerite in Butanoic Acid Solution, J. of Min. Mater. Charact. Eng.,, 483-493 2010)
  12. Nwoye C.I., C-NIKBRAN., Data Analytical Memory (2008)