Extracting zinc from oxidized minerals via an induction furnace

Abstract

This article describes the mineral characteristics, thermodynamic analyses, kinetic tests, and coordinated mass and energy balance of a zinc extraction process for oxidized minerals. The reduction, performed in an induction furnace with a load of 3 kg, permits almost complete zinc extraction in the temperature range 1,650-1,673 K after 90 minutes. The process is thermodynamically advantageous, shows small irreversibility, and yields two interesting by-products: exhaust gas with high CO content and iron alloys. The discard slag does not contain toxic components, and the zinc oxide produced meets the requirements for hydrometallurgical processing. Dust -Thermocouple +PVPt-~13o/) (Zn, CO) Gas Mineral 0 o 0 o Q(kWh) 0 o Metallic 0 o Phase (Fe) 0 o Control Volume 0 o 0 o Figure 1. The crucible assembly for the zinc extraction experiments.

The direct reduction of sulfide minerals for the recovery of precious metals

“…The reduction was carried out in an electric induction furnace (EIF) with a graphite crucible, whose assembly was presented in a previous work. 5 To avoid the loss of fine powders, the fine charge was granulated. The results of the melting tests as a function of temperature and time are presented in Table II.…”