Abstract
The re-dissolution of unstable iron oxides during the low-temperature hematite process significantly increases the iron ions concentration in solution after iron removal in zinc hydrometallurgy. The reason for the re-dissolution of precipitated hematite was determined through simulated iron removal experiments in an autoclave. It was caused by e.g., weak acid solubility resistance in high acidity and the poor crystallinity of hematite. In order to solve the problem of re-dissolution of hematite precipitated in a short time, three improving methods, namely increasing the reaction temperature, extending the reaction time in the autoclave, and reducing the acidity of hematite process, have been systematically studied. Increasing the reaction temperature is not economical from the perspective of industrial production, and extending the reaction time does not meet the original intention of the zinc smelter to increase production capacity. Although zinc sulfide concentrate as a neutralizing agent can increase the pH of the slurry, the hematite produced does not have the potential for sales. When 12 g/L zinc calcine was added, the residual Fe concentration in solution after iron removal within 90 min can be controlled below 1 g/L, and high-grade hematite with Fe, Zn, and S contents of 56.62%, 2.09%, and 2.78% can be produced.
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Acknowledgements
This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51964029), Applied Basic Research Project of Yunnan Province of China (Grant Nos. 202202AG050025), and Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects (Grant Nos. 202302AG050008), for which the authors are sincerely grateful, and we gratefully acknowledge many helpful comments and suggestions from anonymous reviews.
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Yang, B., Lu, Z., Li, X. et al. The Prevention of Re-dissolution of Unstable Iron Oxides During the Low-Temperature Hematite Process. JOM (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-024-06612-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-024-06612-4