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Investigation of thermal decomposition of jarosite tailing waste

A prerequisite for comprehensive jarosite reuse and waste minimization

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Abstract

During the zinc production process from sulfidic ores, the jarosite residue is produced within the precipitate containing ammonia, iron, zinc and other metal sulfates. The process yield jarosite which has been dumped as a waste despite its acidity presents environmental hazard while high content of iron, zinc, lead, cadmium and other heavy metal compounds additionally presents further utilization possibilities. In this paper, the thermal decomposition of jarosite tailing waste collected in Mitrovica Industrial Park situated in Kosovo is investigated in order to get better understanding of its possible utilization as a source of valuable raw materials. Samples of jarosite tailing waste were taken at depths of 0.2, 1 and 2 m. The samples were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results obtained from XRD confirmed the presence of ammonium jarosite in the investigated tailing waste samples. Results of TG–DTA indicated that the decomposition of jarosite samples occurs in four consecutive stages up to the temperature of 500 °C. On behalf of SEM/EDS analysis, jarosite samples yield poorly defined micron-sized morphology associated with high content of Fe and S, but also Pb, Cd, Zn and As. Composition of jarosite tailing waste was found depth dependent which should facilitate jarosite waste reuse at the investigated site.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Business College Mitrovica, Pajazit Boletini 22, 40000, Mitrovica, Kosovo

    Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa

  2. Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulicev trg 19, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Vilko Mandić & Juraj Šipušić

  3. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Lidija Ćurković

Authors
  1. Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa
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  2. Vilko Mandić
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  3. Lidija Ćurković
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  4. Juraj Šipušić
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Correspondence to Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa.

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Kerolli-Mustafa, M., Mandić, V., Ćurković, L. et al. Investigation of thermal decomposition of jarosite tailing waste. J Therm Anal Calorim 123, 421–430 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-015-4881-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-015-4881-9

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