Leaching of Sphalerite with Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Acid

• DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2006.52012
• Publication Date: 2015-05-21T00:26:14Z
• Authors: A.O. Adebayo; K.O. Ipinmoroti; O.O. Ajayi
• Keywords: 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology

The leaching of powdered sphalerite using hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid has been investigated. The important variables such as concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid as well as stirring speed and particle size were examined. The effect of reaction temperature was also examined on the leaching reaction process. The hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid concentrations have significant effects on the leaching of sphalerite. The leaching of sphalerite is dependent on temperature and stirring speed and inversely proportional on the ore particle size. The apparent activation energy is found to be 28.7kJmol-1 suggesting that the reaction is chemical - control at the surface of the particles.