A research on the Extraction of Metals from Küre Chalcopyrite Concentrate in the Pressure Reactor System

Abstract

In this study, ammonium persulfate leaching of metals from Kure chalcopyrite concentrate was investigated in the pressure reactor by using response surface methodology (RSM). Experiments were planned with all factorial array of central composite design (CCD) as total 86 experiments, so that 10 experiments in centre. The all of investigating parameters having affected on the results were defined as independent variable. The investigating parameters that effect on the metal extraction yield in the chalcopyrite leaching are concentration of ammonium persulfate (APS), leaching temperature, stirring speed and ratio of liquid-solid, reactor occupancy and leaching time. Leaching experiments were performed as batch in the 300 ml pressure reactor. The data obtained from different experimental conditions were optimized that optimizing criteria is maximum copper and minimum iron passing into leach solution, and model equation were formed for both response values. The obtained model equations for copper and iron extraction were determined as second order model. Under the optimum leaching conditions, some model solution points were determined. According to results of performed experiments in these solution points, copper extraction yield is 55% while iron is about 15%.