Differential precipitation of copper and nickel from acidic polymetallic aqueous solutions

Giannopoulou, I; Panias, D

dc.contributor.author	Giannopoulou, I	en
dc.contributor.author	Panias, D	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:28:09Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:28:09Z
dc.date.issued	2008	en
dc.identifier.issn	0304-386X	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/18735
dc.subject	Acidic sulphide solutions	en
dc.subject	Copper	en
dc.subject	Neutralization	en
dc.subject	Nickel	en
dc.subject	Precipitation	en
dc.subject.classification	Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering	en
dc.subject.other	Caustic soda	en
dc.subject.other	Precipitation (chemical)	en
dc.subject.other	Solutions	en
dc.subject.other	Sulfuric acid	en
dc.subject.other	Wastewater	en
dc.subject.other	Acidic polymetallic solutions	en
dc.subject.other	Copper sulfate	en
dc.subject.other	Economic recession	en
dc.subject.other	Copper smelting	en
dc.title	Differential precipitation of copper and nickel from acidic polymetallic aqueous solutions	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1016/j.hydromet.2007.10.004	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2007.10.004	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	2008	en
heal.abstract	During the pyrometallurgical treatment of copper concentrates several wastes (gaseous, solid and liquid) are generated. Wastewaters produced in a primary copper smelter are acidic polymetallic solutions characterized by intermediate to high sulphuric acid concentration. Additionally, they usually contain large quantities of valuable metals, such as Cu and Ni, as well as impurities, such as Pb, Zn, Fe, As, Sb, Bi, etc. Therefore, recovery of valuable metals from acidic polymetallic aqueous solutions is of great importance for every plant. This paper is dealing with the recovery of copper and nickel from the acidic polymetallic solutions generated in the copper smelter at Bor, Serbia. The process of differential precipitation of metals through neutralization with caustic soda was selected as the treatment alternative that combines simplicity, efficiency and reliability with low capital and maintenance costs. The concept was based on the development of a simple and efficient process that could be more attractive for industries located in countries suffering from economic recession. Theoretical analysis and experimental results showed that copper and nickel can be differentially removed from the acidic polymetallic solutions at pH = 7 and pH = 10, respectively, mainly contaminated by arsenic, which occurs at high concentrations in acidic polymetallic solutions. Both metals were precipitated as hydroxides, although a small portion of copper was removed also as copper sulfate salt. The resulted precipitates are rich in copper and nickel and can be recycled in copper, as well as in nickel smelters. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.	en
heal.publisher	ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV	en
heal.journalName	Hydrometallurgy	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/j.hydromet.2007.10.004	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000253804000007	en
dc.identifier.volume	90	en
dc.identifier.issue	2-4	en
dc.identifier.spage	137	en
dc.identifier.epage	146	en