TH3300B - Production of zinc from ores and minerals of high percentage - Google Patents

Abstract

Separation of zinc from ores containing a high percentage of zinc or minerals. (1) In electrolytic cells (3) with cathode (5), cathode (16) and anode (4), anode (2) cathode and anode. The selected membrane allows the ions to pass through (6) between the two sections. This membrane is able to prevent the transfer of ionic copper from the anode part (2) to the cathode part (16). This process includes the formation of a high percentage mineral or mineral slurry (1 ) As for the anode (2) with chloride and a solution containing copper ions, oxygen-containing gas (7) is mixed with that slurry. To mix well, keep most mixtures at atmospheric pressure and at temperature up to the boiling point of solution, and keep pH of mixtures from 1 to 4. The resulting solution contains a high amount of soluble zinc. Separate at least part of the mixture and separate the resulting solution (12), expose the resulting solution (12) to a high percentage of zinc or mineral (1), which will precipitate the ionic copper. Add the resulting solution (15) to the cathode portion (16) and conduct electrochemistry to separate the zinc at the cathode (5).

Claims (11)

1. Method for separating zinc from zinc-containing ores in an electrochemical cell. This cell consists of a cathode and an anode. Both the cathode and anode are separated by a membrane that selectively blocks the passage of certain ions. This membrane is unique in its ability to prevent the migration of ionic copper from the anode to the cathode. The process involves forming a slurry of the zinc-containing ore with a solution containing chloride and copper ions in the anode; thoroughly mixing the slurry with oxygen gas; maintaining most of the mixture at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature up to the boiling point of the solution, and maintaining the pH of the mixture between 1 and 4. The resulting solution contains a high proportion of dissolved zinc. At least some of the mixture is separated and the solution is discarded. The solution is then exposed to the zinc-containing ore, causing the ionic copper to precipitate. The solution is added to the cathode, and electrochemical processes are performed to separate the zinc at the cathode. 2. The procedure for claim 1, which includes an additional step, is the addition of zinc-containing ore or a high percentage of copper sediment to the slurry. 3. Procedure of Claim 1, where the pH of the mixture is between 2.5 and 3.5. 4. The procedure of claim 1, which involves raising the temperature of the solution from 50°C to the boiling point of the solution. 5. The procedure for claim 1 involves a solution temperature ranging from 70°C to 100°C. 6. The process of claim 1 involves a solution temperature of 85°C to 95°C. 7. A procedure for claim 1 in which the solution contains approximately 5 to 25 grams of ionic copper per liter. 8. The procedure of Claim 1 in which almost all of the ionic copper in the resulting solution is precipitated by contact with a zinc-containing ore or a high percentage zinc ore. 9. The procedure for claim number 8, which states that the zinc-containing ore is zinc sulfide. 10. The procedure for claim 9, in which the zinc sulfide ore contains copper sulfide. 11. The procedure of claim 1 involves the addition of chloride ions in the form of sodium chloride at a concentration of 200 to 300 g/L.