Abstract
Mineralogical studies were carried out to identify the causes of filter press plugging in two zinc plant purification circuits. In the first circuit, Kraft paper covers were used over the filter cloths. An extensive layer of basic zinc sulfate, Zn4(SO4)(OH)6.xH2O or Zn5(SO4)2)(OH)6.xH2O, precipitated on the surface of the Kraft paper and within the pores of the paper. In the second circuit, woven polypropylene cloth was used in the first-stage filter presses. The cloth was extensively covered by basic zinc sulfate, which also filled the relatively large pores in this type of material. An unwoven polypropylene cloth was used in the second-stage filter presses of this circuit. The significantly finer pores in this type of cloth appeared to be plugged by major amounts of zinc sulfate, ZnSO4.xH2O, that presumably crystallized because of the temperature-concentration conditions prevailing in that part of the circuit.
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References
D.D. Rodier, “The Canadian Electrolytic Zinc Sulphate Solution Purification Process and Operating Practice: A Case Study,” Lead-Zinc-Tin ’80, ed. J.M. Cigan, T.S. Mackey, and T.J. O’Keefe (Warrendale, PA: The Metallurgical Society of AIME, 1979), pp. 144–156.
T.T. Chen and J.E. Dutrizac, “Practical Mineralogical Techniques for the Characterization of Hydrometallurgical Products,” Process Mineralogy IX, ed. W. Petruk et al. (Warrendale, PA: TMS, 1990), pp. 289–309.
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For more information, contact T.T. Chen, CANMET, 555 Booth Street, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0G1: (613) 995-9490; fax (613) 996-9673; e-mail tchen@nrcan.gc.ca.
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Chen, T.T., Dutrizac, J.E. Filter press plugging in zinc plant purification circuits. JOM 55, 28–31 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-003-0084-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-003-0084-0