The Extraction of Copper from Chalcopyrite Concentrate with Hydrogen Peroxide in Sulfuric Acid Solution
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023
Authors
Petrović, Sanja
Bogdanović, Grozdanka
Antonijević, Milan
Vukčević, Marija
Kovačević, Renata
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI, Switzerland
Source
Metals
Volume
13
Issue
11
Abstract
Research on chalcopyrite leaching represents a great challenge, given its importance as one of the most abundant copper minerals and its significant role in global copper extraction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different parameters on chalcopyrite leaching by hydrogen peroxide as a strong oxidizing reagent in sulfuric acid solution. A series of leaching tests were carried out to investigate the effect of the solid/liquid ratio, stirring speed, temperature, oxidant and acid concentrations, and lixiviant dosing method on copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate. The catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide occurred in the investigated leaching system, as reflected in the obtained metal extraction values. Copper extraction was increased in the first 60 min of the reaction, after which it essentially ceased. The maximum final copper extraction of 64.5% was attained with 3.0 mol/L H2O2 in 3.0 mol/L H2SO4 at a temperature of 40 C after 120 min of reaction. Due to the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the examined leaching system, the leaching experiment was performed with the periodic addition of lixiviant at specific time intervals as well. The dissolution process was described by the first-order kinetics equation with an apparent activation energy of ~39 kJ/mol. Finally, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses were used to characterize the leached residue, and the results showed that the formation of elemental sulfur on the chalcopyrite surface affected the dissolution process.
Description
Keywords
chalcopyrite, leaching, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, kinetics, XRD, SEM-EDS, sulfur
Citation
DOI
10.3390/met13111818
Scopus
ISSN
ISBN
License
CC-BY