Abstract
In this research, dissolution of chalcopyrite concentrate is modelled and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Also, effective parameters in the leaching process such as the amount of pyrite, silver ions, redox potential and initial concentration of acid are comprehensively studied. Central Composite Design (CCD) methodology is chosen as the design matrix to predict the optimum level of the parameters. In the next step, it will be proven that in the presence of silver ions, pyrite effectiveness is improved and also the chalcopyrite dissolution rate is increased considerably. Using the result of quadratic programming, a rotation speed of 1000 rpm, a pyrite/chalcopyrite mass ratio of 3:1, the amount of 150 ppm silver ion, a solution potential set point of 470 mV, at 800°C and 25 g/L initial acid concentration are the optimal level of the selected parameters wherein the maximum copper extraction with more than 95% in less than 10 hours can be accessible.
Highlights
80-85 percent of copper is produced by the flotation of copper ores before a pyrometallurgical process of smelting and converting
The silver ions can be applied for chalcopyrite leaching wherein silver ions combine with sulfur on a chalcopyrite surface acting as an insulator layer by silver sulfide formation during leaching reactions (Yuehua et al, 2002)
A typical chalcopyrite copper sulfide concentrate (CuFeS2) and pyrite with relatively high purity are prepared from the Sungun copper plant and the Mazraeh copper mine located in Ahar (East Azerbaijan, Iran), respectively, see Figure 1
Summary
80-85 percent of copper is produced by the flotation of copper ores before a pyrometallurgical process of smelting and converting. 37-47 ric acid, hydrochloric acid and other leaching agents (Córdoba et al, 2009b; Hackl et al, 1995; Stott et al., 2000; Viramontes-Gamboa et al, 2010) Among these processes, ferric sulfate leaching of chalcopyrite has many advantages; simplicity of leaching reactions, proper leaching progress, low operating and capital cost, ease of copper recovery with solvent extraction and electrowinning (Nazari et al, 2011). The silver ions can be applied for chalcopyrite leaching wherein silver ions combine with sulfur on a chalcopyrite surface acting as an insulator layer by silver sulfide formation during leaching reactions (Yuehua et al, 2002). The dissolution of chalcopyrite concentrate of the Sungun copper plant was examined in various leaching conditions by changing the parameters of the amount of pyrite and silver ion added, the redox potential and the initial concentration of the acid
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