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Water balance and magnesium control in electrolytic zinc plants using the E.Z. selective zinc precipitation process

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Abstract

There is an increasing tendency for modern electrolytic zinc plants to experience water balance and magnesium control problems because of the simultaneous need to maximize zinc recovery and produce environmentally acceptable leach residues and precipitates. The Selective Zinc Precipitation process developed by the Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia involves the precipitation of basic zinc sulfate using limestone. Water balance and magnesium control may be achieved by either discarding the process filtrate, or by using it to wash precipitates in a closed circuit operation. The process filter cake is used as a neutralizing agent in the zinc plant. The process can be operated over a wide range of temperatures and calcined zinc concentrate may be preferred to limestone as a zinc precipitant to minimize the discard of sulfate. This paper is particularly concerned with a quantitative assessment of various modes of integrating the process into modern electrolytic zinc plants.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Risdon Research Department, Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Limited, 7001, Hobart, Tasmani, Australia

    I. G. Matthew (Superintendent), O. M. G. Newman (Senior Research Officer) & D. J. Palmer (Research Officer)

Authors
  1. I. G. Matthew
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  2. O. M. G. Newman
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  3. D. J. Palmer
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Matthew, I.G., Newman, O.M.G. & Palmer, D.J. Water balance and magnesium control in electrolytic zinc plants using the E.Z. selective zinc precipitation process. Metall Trans B 11, 73–82 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02657174

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02657174

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