Separation of mixture of Sb2S3-PbS, Sb2S3-FeS, PbS-FeS by vacuum distillation

Abstract

To provide technical guidance for the vacuum distillation and separation of sulfide in lead-antimony-iron sulfide ore, the vacuum distillation and separation of pure antimony-lead sulfide, antimony-iron sulfide, and lead-iron sulfide was carried out. The PbS–Sb2S3 mixed separation experiment under 5 Pa shows that to obtain high purity antimony sulfide volatiles, the distillation temperature must be lower than 650 °C, and to obtain high purity lead sulfide in the residue, the distillation temperature should be higher than 750 °C, and beyond 80 min to promote the evaporation of antimony sulfide to the gas phase completely. The PbS–FeS mixed separation experiment under 5 Pa shows that to achieve the separation of lead and iron sulfide, the distillation temperature must be higher than 900 °C. Theoretical calculation shows that antimony sulfide may be decomposed at 700 °C under 5 Pa. Therefore, 650 °C is the most suitable temperature. Neither lead nor ferrous sulfide undergo decomposition reactions under 5 Pa in this study.