Selective leaching of arsenic from copper converter flue dust by Na2S and its stabilization with Fe2(SO4)3
(Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, 424 Hafez Ave., Tehran 15875-4413, Iran)
Abstract: The alkaline leaching of arsenic (As2O3) by Na2S, together with its precipitation by Fe2(SO4)3 was studied. Response surface methodology based on central composite design was employed to quantify and qualify the effect of pertinent factors and to develop statistical models for optimization purposes. Based on the obtained results, 89% of arsenic is removed from the dust under following optimum predicted conditions: Na2S concentration of 100 g/L and solid to liquid ratio of 0.163 g/mL at 80 °C. It is found that solid to liquid ratio and Na2S concentration are the significant factors influencing the leaching process. In the precipitation process, more than 99.93% of arsenic from the leaching solution is removed in the form of amorphous ferric arsenate, at pH 4.8 when Fe3+ to arsenic and H2O2 to arsenic molar ratios are set at 5:1 and 4:1, respectively. Also, Fe3+ to arsenic ratio and pH are the most significant factors, and the interaction between these terms is significant.
Key words: flue dust; arsenic; response surface methodology; alkaline leaching; precipitation