Abstract
Manganese nodules are an attractive source of base metals and critical and rare elements and are required to meet a high demand of today’s industry. In previous studies, it has been shown that high concentrations of reducing agent (Fe) in the system are beneficial for the rapid extraction of manganese. However, it is necessary to optimize the operational parameters in order to maximize Mn recovery. In this study, a statistical analysis was carried out using factorial experimental design for the main parameters, including time, MnO2/Fe2O3 ratio, and H2SO4 concentration. After this, Mn recovery tests were carried out over time at different ratios of MnO2/Fe2O3 and H2SO4 concentrations, where the potential and pH of the system were measured. Finally, it is concluded that high concentrations of FeSO4 in the system allow operating in potential and pH ranges (−0.2 to 1.2 V and −1.8 to 0.1) that favor the formation of Fe2+ and Fe3+, which enable high extractions of Mn (73%) in short periods of time (5 to 20 min) operating with an optimum MnO2/Fe2O3 ratio of 1:3 and a concentration of 0.1 mol/L of H2SO4.
Highlights
The oxides of Fe and Mn are formed by direct precipitation in ambient seawater and are mainly deposited on the flat parts and the flanks of seamounts, where ocean currents prevent sedimentation [1,2].These deposits are found in the oceans around the world [3] and among these are the manganese nodules [4].The economic interest in ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodules is due to high grades of base, critical, and rare metals [5]
From the principal components analysis, it is seen that there is no main effect of the sulfuric acid concentration factor, which means that the average response is the same across all levels of the factor, while the time and MnO2 /Fe2 O3 ratio factors have a main effect since the variation between different levels affects the response differently, as shown in main effects plot for Mn extraction of the different affectsthe theANOVA
The present study shows results by means of a statistical model as well as extraction curves versus time to investigate the extraction of Mn from MnO2 present in manganese nodules using tailings obtained from slag flotation when operating in an acid medium and a room temperature of
Summary
The oxides of Fe and Mn are formed by direct precipitation in ambient seawater and are mainly deposited on the flat parts and the flanks of seamounts, where ocean currents prevent sedimentation [1,2].These deposits are found in the oceans around the world [3] and among these are the manganese nodules [4].The economic interest in ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodules is due to high grades of base, critical, and rare metals [5]. The oxides of Fe and Mn are formed by direct precipitation in ambient seawater and are mainly deposited on the flat parts and the flanks of seamounts, where ocean currents prevent sedimentation [1,2]. These deposits are found in the oceans around the world [3] and among these are the manganese nodules [4]. The economic interest in ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodules is due to high grades of base, critical, and rare metals [5] These metals that provide mineral deposits on the seabed are necessary for the rapid development of high technology application. They support the growth and quality of life of the middle class in densely populated countries with expanding markets and economies [6].
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