Dissolution Kinetics of Sphalerite in Aqueous Ferric Chloride Solution

염화제이철 수용액에서 섬아연광의 용해에 관한 속도론적 연구

Dissolution reactions of chemical grade zinc sulfide and natural sphalerite were studied in ferric chloride solution as an oxidant. To enhance the leaching reaction, ultrasonic technique was employed in this investigation. For the reaction with pure zinc sulfide, chemical reaction was the rate limiting step in the range of low conversion irrespective of applying ultrasonic wave. And the diffusion through liquid film instead of diffusion through product layer of free sulfur was the rate determining step because ultrasonic vibration removes the product from reaction zone. In the case of sphalerite with the ultrasonic vibrator, it was found that inert mineral layer diffusion was the rate determining step, in which the elemental sulfurs formed were removed by the ultrasonic action. Experimental results showed that the ultrasonic technique proved to be the methods which can significants improve the leaching performance.