Recovery of Valuable Metals from Iron-Rich Pyrite Cinder by Chlorination-Volatilization Method

The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the volatilization percentages of valuable metals from iron-rich pyrite cinder by chlorination-volatilization method using CaCl2 as chlorinating agent was investigated in this study. The volatile products were collected directly and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. It was found that there were CuCl2, CuCl, PbCl2, and ZnCl2 existed in the volatile products. Au and Pb volatilization percentages were almost not affected by oxygen partial pressure. Both Cu and Zn volatilization percentages were negatively correlated with oxygen partial pressure when CaCl2 dosage was no more than 4 wt%, and almost uncorrelated with oxygen partial pressure with a CaCl2 dosage of 6 wt%.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of oxygen partial pressure on the volatilization percentages of valuable metals from iron-rich pyrite cinder using the chlorination-volatilization method with CaCl2 as the chlorinating agent. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of CuCl2, CuCl, PbCl2, and ZnCl2 in the volatile products. The volatilization percentages of Au and Pb were almost unaffected by oxygen partial pressure. The volatilization percentages of Cu and Zn were negatively correlated with oxygen partial pressure when the CaCl2 dosage was no more than 4 wt%, and almost uncorrelated with oxygen partial pressure at a CaCl2 dosage of 6 wt%.