Abstract
The decomposition of pyrite and marcasite in a nitric acid medium heated by microwave energy has been investigated. It was found that microwave exposure could effectively improve the leaching kinetics of both minerals. Marcasite had a substantially higher decomposition rate than pyrite. The decomposition rate increased with an increase in leaching temperature and concentration of acid and with a decrease in particle size. Only 5-7% of the dissolved sulphur was transformed into elemental sulphur. A kinetic study showed that the decomposition of both minerals was controlled by chemical reactions on the surfaces of particles. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 169-179 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Hydrometallurgy |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2002 |
Keywords
- marcasite
- nitric acid
- pyrite
- microwave radiation