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Oxidative Electrolysis Leaching of an Arsenical Copper Sulfide Concentrate.

Lei-KPV; Carnahan-TG

Paper Energy Red Tech in Metal Electrochem Proc Metall Soc AIME, Pennsylvania, 1985 :45-60

10004802

An oxidative electrolysis procedure for leaching an arsenical copper sulfide concentrate containing 28 pct cu was investigated by the federal Bureau of Mines. Leaching by electrolysis of the concentrate slurried in a sodium chloride solution was performed in a cell equipped with an ion-selective bimembrane to separate the anodic and cathodic reactions. The bimembrane consisted of a cation membrane facing the anode and an anion membrane facing the cathode. Oxidation by chlorine produced at the anode converted the concentrate to soluble metal ions, arsenic acid, sulfate ion, and elemental sulfur. The effects of sulfide to sulfate conversion, current density, temperature, and sulfate concentration on metal extractions and energy requirements for operating the bimembrane cell were determined. Metal extractions of 95 pct were obtained at 50 deg. C and an energy requirement ranging from 2.8 to 3.0 Kw.H/lb of concentrate. A conceptual hydrometallurgical scheme to treat the arsenical sulfide concentrate is proposed.

19850101

OP;

1985

OP 76-85

RERC;

Paper Energy Red. Tech. in Metal Electrochem. Proc., Metall. Soc. AIME, PA, 1985, PP. 45-60

PA;