TITLE:
Leaching of Sphalerite with Hydrogen Peroxide and Nitric Acid
AUTHORS:
A.O. Adebayo, K.O. Ipinmoroti, O.O. Ajayi
KEYWORDS:
Sphalerite, Hydrogen Peroxide, Nitric Acid
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.5 No.2,
October
20,
2006
ABSTRACT: 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.