Measurement of pH of Leachate in Zinc Hydrometallurgy and Air Jet Cleaning to Prevent Scaling

Introduction

Most zinc are produced at hydrometallurgically, where a high-grade zinc product can be obtained and valuable metals mixed in the raw material can be recovered. In the hydrometallurgy, the raw material of zinc concentrate is roasted and then dissolved in sulfuric acid to remove impurities. The process called leaching and pH control of the leachate is important. The leachate contains gypsum and impurities that may cause scaling on electrodes. As a result, it interfered with stable pH measurement and required frequent cleaning at least once a week. A pH analyzer with air jet cleaning system provides continuous cleaning and therefore can reduce maintenance frequency to once every one or two months.

Expected Benefits

  • Ensures stable and continuous pH measurement
  • Reduces operating costs
  • Eliminates manual cleaning work by hand

Process Overview

Roasted concentrate sent from a roasting furnace, is dissolved in diluted sulfuric acid (spent electrolyte) in a dissolving tank.

ZnO + H2SO4 -> ZnSO4 + H2O

In addition, some iron and other material contained in the calcine are dissolved. Therefore, these impurities are removed by precipitation by adding manganese, lime or other additives.

FeO + Additive -> Fe2O3 (precipitation)

pH control is important to allow zinc to dissolve fully and impurities to precipitate maximally. The leachate is filtered by a filter press to remove impurities and the filtrate is fed to an electrolytic bath where zinc is electrolytically produced.

Electrolytic Zinc Manufacturing Process
Electrolytic Zinc Manufacturing Process

Solution Details

Measurement system

4-wire pH measurement system (with jet cleaning system)
Sensor KCl refillable pH sensor (Teflon liquid junction)
PH8EFP-□□-TN-TT1-N-G*A/TF
Holder Submersion type holder with jet cleaning system
PH8HS-PP- □□ -T-JT-JP*A/MS3
Terminal box (when needed) WTB10-PH3
4-wire pH/ORP converter FLXA402-A-B- □□ -P1-NN-A2-WR- □ - □ -N-NN/UM

Utilities

FLXA402 4-Wire Converter
Power supply 90 to 264 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption 35VA maximum
Submersion holder
Air for jet cleaning
Air pressure 200 to 400 kPa
Consumption 100 to 300 NL/min

Notes

  • Continuous air jet cleaning
    Since the leachate is a strongly acid solution, its pH value is not affected by air cleaning. This allows measurement and cleaning simultaneously.
  • Other applications
    This cleaning system can be used for other smelting processes of copper, manganese, sadmium, etc.

Field Data

Process condition

Measurement point: Leachate in the dissolving tank
Temperature: 80°C
pH value: pH 1.5 ± 0.2
Zinc: Approx. 160 g/L
Sulfuric acid: 2 to 3 g/L
Lime: Saturated

Before air jet cleaning system was introduced, the cleaning work by hand had been required at least once a week. Continuous air jet cleaning using the submersion holder with jet cleaning system, has reduced the maintenance frequency to once a month or two months.

4-wire pH Measurement System with Jet Cleaning System

To ensure stable measurement, the pH sensor uses a Teflon liquid junction, where the KCl outflow is higher than that of ceramic junction.

 

Industries

  • Mining & Metal

    Mining operations produce valuable minerals or geological materials from the Earth. Economical recovery often requires high throughput and high availability of the process with low operation costs, and stringent safety and environmental regulations.

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