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Sulfidation of chalcopyrite with elemental sulfur

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Abstract

The sulfidation of chalcopyrite concentrate with elemental sulfur was studied in the temperature range of 325 °C to 500 °C. The effects of temperature, time, and composition of the reactants on the sulfidation were determined. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and light microscopic analyses showed that the sulfidation of chalcopyrite forms CuS and FeS2 at temperatures below 400 °C. However, at temperatures above 400 °C, Cu5FeS6 and FeS2 were formed. The sulfidation of chalcopyrite proceeds mainly through the gaseous phase, and temperature has a significant influence on the sulfidation rate in the range of 325 °C to 400 °C. The extraction of copper from the reacted material was determined by leaching in an H2SO4-NaCl-O2 system. Over 90 pct of copper could be extracted by leaching at 100 °C for 60 minutes in the mentioned system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Concepcion, Concepción, Chile

    R. Padilla (Associate Professor), M. Rodriguez (Graduate Student) & M. C. Ruiz (Professor)

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  1. R. Padilla
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  2. M. Rodriguez
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  3. M. C. Ruiz
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Padilla, R., Rodriguez, M. & Ruiz, M.C. Sulfidation of chalcopyrite with elemental sulfur. Metall Mater Trans B 34, 15–23 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-003-0050-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-003-0050-9

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