Process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit

Abstract

This invention addresses the elimination of both organic and inorganic total carbon resulting from carbonates and organic matters contained in zinc silicate concentrates. As it take full advantage of the neutralizing power of the flotated concentrate, this process has two additional benefits: its high efficiency in removing magnesium, an element that is detrimental to the electrolytic process in zinc production, and its capacity of fully purging the excess waters in the hydrometallurgical zinc process which causes dilution in the metal production circuit. This process consists of the direct treatment of the zinc silicate concentrate in autoclaves together with secondary solutions, skipping the calcination (600-900° C.) or calcine grinding stages, as the granulometry that is obtained from the concentrate flotation and enrichment process is enough for reactions at high temperatures and pressures.

1 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit, characterized by the direct treatment of the autoclave-flotated concentrate, at high pressure and temperature, with secondary solutions containing zinc:  
   
   
       2 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that, following autoclaving, the pulp may be discharged into flash tanks, in order to reduce both pressure and temperature up to atmospheric condition.  
   
   
       3 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the pulp obtained may be thickened and filtered.  
   
   
       4 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 1  characterized by the fact that the low zinc content filtrate may be directed to either the neutralization or effluent treatment section and the cake may be leached using sulphuric acid to produce zinc sulphate solution.  
   
   
       5 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit, characterized by the fact that the zinc silicate flotated concentrate may be treated, with no calcination, with secondary zinc solutions in autoclaves at temperatures ranging from about 160° C. to about 200° C. e pressures from 11 bar to 19 bar.  
   
   
       6 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 5 , characterized by the fact that, following autoclaving, the pulp may be discharged into flash tanks, in order to reduce both pressure and temperature up to atmospheric condition.  
   
   
       7 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 5 , characterized by the fact that the pulp obtained may be thickened and filtered.  
   
   
       8 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 5 , characterized by the fact that the low zinc content filtrate may be directed to either the neutralization or effluent treatment section and the cake may be leached using sulphuric acid to produce zinc sulphate solution.  
   
   
       9 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 2 , characterized by the fact that the pulp obtained may be thickened and filtered.  
   
   
       10 . A process to eliminate both organic and inorganic total carbon in zinc silicate concentrate, with an additional effect of purging both waters and magnesium in the zinc production circuit according to  claim 6 , characterized by the fact that the pulp obtained may be thickened and filtered.