Phase transformation behavior of galena during oxygen pressure leaching in H₂SO₄-Fe₂(SO₄)₃ system

Abstract

The phase transformation of galena in H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃ system under oxygen pressure was investigated. Results indicated that the critical conditions for the phase transformation of galena into lead jarosite (Pb-J) were 130 °C, 30 g/L H₂SO₄, 15 g/L Fe³⁺, and an oxygen partial pressure of 0.4 MPa. Furthermore, increased Fe³⁺ concentration and oxygen partial pressure did not enhance jarosite formation. Conversely, lowering the temperature and increasing the H₂SO₄ concentration facilitated PbSO₄ formation and inhibited its further conversion to Pb-J. Additionally, the effects of potassium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and high concentrations of zinc sulfate on the phase transformation of galena were examined through leaching tests, XRD, SEM-EDS, and FT-IR analyses. All three sulfates inhibited the conversion of galena to Pb-J. Among these, potassium sulfate prevented Pb-J formation and converted it more thoroughly into potassium jarosite. However, high concentrations of zinc sulfate facilitated the crystallization of both PbSO₄ and Pb-J, which altered the morphology of the product. Zinc ions coprecipitated with Pb-J, thereby integrating into the product.

Keywords

galena / phase transformation / lead sulfate / lead jarosite / oxygen pressure leaching

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