The salt extraction process - A novel route for metal extraction Part 2 - Cu/Fe extraction from copper oxide and sulphides

• The present work is Part 2 of a novel salt extraction process towards the extraction of metal values from slag, low grade ores, etc. The authors describe the extraction of copper/iron from CuO, Cu 2S and CuFeS 2, which provides a green process route to treat the copper ore including both oxides and sulphides. The dissolution properties were investigated with respect to process parameters such as weight ratio of flux/copper ore and temperature. The highest extraction ratio is found at 92% in dissolution of Cu 2S, and residue of salt melt was confirmed to be mainly Al 2O 3. A cell voltage between 1·6 and 2·2 V is introduced for electrolysis, and the cathode products are proved to be pure Cu for electrolysis of CuO/Cu 2S, and Cu/Fe mixture for CuFeS 2 by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Some sulphur and iron chloride were found to volatilise and were deposited in the low temperature zone. Yield of copper has been estimated to be 52·3% during electrolysis of Cu 2S.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Copper oxide

Copper sulphides

Electrolysis

Molten salts

Materials science

Teknisk materialvetenskap

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