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The behavior of thiourea and flotation reagents in zinc electrowinning circuits

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Abstract

The effect of thiourea and flotation reagents on the electrowinning of zinc from industrial electrolytes was studied, and all the compounds were found to reduce the zinc deposition current efficiency and to change the properties of the zinc deposits. The effectiveness of activated carbon, two-stage cementation, and hot acid leaching on the destruction/removal of the organic compounds also was addressed. Activated carbon pretreatment of thiourea-containing electrolytes restored the current efficiency for 1-hour zinc deposits to values comparable to those obtained for thiourea-free electrolytes. The activated carbon pretreatment, however, altered the deposit morphology and orientation, but produced a cyclic voltammogram similar to that of the thiourea-free solution. Two-stage cementation did not counteract the harmful effects of thiourea. Hot acid leaching destroyed the thiourea but generated large concentrations of ferrous ion that reduced the current efficiency. The ferrous concentrations, however, were readily controlled by KMnO4 or MnO2 oxidation. None of the treatment options (activated carbon, two-stage cementation, or hot acid leaching) was effective in controlling the flotation reagents, and their moderately harmful effect on zinc electrowinning persisted. Even low concentrations of these reagents polarized zinc deposition, and this resulted in a “glue-type” zinc deposit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CANMET, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, 555 Booth Street, K1A 0G1, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    D. J. Mackinnon (Research Scientist), J. E. Dutrizac (Research Scientist), J. M. Brannen (Research Technician) & D. J. Hardy (Research Technician)

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  1. D. J. Mackinnon
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  2. J. E. Dutrizac
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  3. J. M. Brannen
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  4. D. J. Hardy
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Mackinnon, D.J., Dutrizac, J.E., Brannen, J.M. et al. The behavior of thiourea and flotation reagents in zinc electrowinning circuits. Metall Trans B 19, 187–199 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02654203

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02654203

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