Author: Salih AYDOĞAN, Ali ARASI, Mehmet CANBAZOĞLU
Publishing Date: 2005
E-ISSN: 2147-9364
Volume: 20 Issue: 2
ABSTRACT:
This paper presents a study of kinetics of leaching of sphalerite concentrate in ammonia solutions. The effects of ammonia concentration, oxygen partial pressure, reaction temperature and particle size on the leaching rate were investigated. The shrinking core model was applied to the results obtained from these experiments. Reaction on order with respect to PO2 (1-10 atm.) and NH3 concentration
(1.05-5.20 M) were 0.22 and 0.63 and the activation energy was determined to be 43.59 kj/mol in the temperature range of 90-130 °C. In addition, the apparent rate constant is in inverse relationship with the mean initial particle radius. The results of this study showed that the leaching of sphalerite was a reaction controlled process.
Key Words: Sphalerite; ammonia; kinetic model; reaction controlled process.