Abstract
Chalcocite is the most important and abundant secondary copper ore in the world with a rapid dissolution of copper in an acid-chloride environment. In this investigation, the methodology of surface optimization will be applied to evaluate the effect of three independent variables (time, concentration of sulfuric acid and chloride concentration) in the leaching of pure chalcocite to extract the copper with the objective of obtaining a quadratic model that allows us to predict the extraction of copper. The kinetics of copper dissolution in regard to the function of temperature is also analyzed. An ANOVA indicates that the linear variables with the greatest influence are time and the chloride concentration. Also, the concentration of chloride-time exerts a significant synergic effect in the quadratic model. The ANOVA indicates that the quadratic model is representative and the R2 value of 0.92 is valid. The highest copper extraction (67.75%) was obtained at 48 h leaching under conditions of 2 mol/L H2SO4 and 100 g/L chloride. The XRD analysis shows the formation of a stable and non-polluting residue; such as elemental sulfur (S0). This residue was obtained in a leaching time of 4 h at room temperature under conditions of 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and 50 g/L Cl−.
Highlights
Most of the copper minerals on the planet correspond to sulfur minerals and a smaller amount of oxidized minerals
The effects on the leaching of chalcocite above 0.02 mol/L [19,22]. It is only the time-concentration interaction of curvature of the variable chloride concentration and H2SO4 concentration do not contribute of chloride that must be considered in the model
In previous investigations [13,20], it has been determined that leaching is independent of a chloride concentration between 0.5 and 2 mol/L, but a greater kinetic of dissolution is observed in the first minutes and the difference decreases as a function of time and behavior similar to that of Figure 5
Summary
Most of the copper minerals on the planet correspond to sulfur minerals and a smaller amount of oxidized minerals. Sulfur minerals have been treated for decades with flotation and pyrometallurgical processes [5], which result in major environmental problems; such as tailings dams and the generation of acid drainage (sulfuric acid and oxides of iron) by the oxidation of sulfur minerals with a high presence of pyrite This sulfide is one of the most common and abundant minerals in the world and is associated with hydrothermal mineralization [6]. A statistical analysis will be carried out using the methodology of surface optimization (design of the central composite face) to sensitize independent parameters (time, sulfuric acid concentration and chloride concentration) in the leaching of a pure mineral of chalcocite in chlorinated media. The effect on chloride concentration in the system will be evaluated when operating with potable water, seawater and reusing waste water
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