US3655538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for electrowinning zinc from sulfide concentrates
Assignee: Kidd Creek Mines Ltd
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Filing: 1969-05-19
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1989-05-19
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to leaching zinc sulfide concentrates to facilitate the production of zinc and sulphur. solution. To provide for increased recovery the copper sulfate leach The zinc sulfide is leached with a copper sulfate solution, preferably under oxidizing conditions, to produce a copper sulfide and a zinc sulfate solution. The elemental sulphur can be obtained from the copper sulfide by a subsequent oxidizing leach and the zinc metal can be obtained by electrolyzing the zinc sulfate leach may be accomplished in a staging operation to establish an excess of zinc sulfide concentrate in the initial leach step.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard C Renken
- 👤 Theodoor W Zegers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:31
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C1/00; C25C1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of zinc to copper is from 2:1 to 1:2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of zinc to copper is 1:1 to 1:2 and the conversion of zinc sulfide to zinc sulfate is from 40 to 80 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
The process which comprises mixing zinc sulfide ore and copper sulfate solution and an oxygen containing gas in a first pressure leaching vessel, discharging the reaction mixture to a filtering means, withdrawing the pregnant solution from the filtering means and treating said pregnant solution in a purification and electrolysis means to produce zinc metal and a spent sulfuric acid electrolyte, charging said sulfuric acid, air and the solids from said filtering means to a second pressure leaching vessel, regenerating copper sulfate solution in said second leaching vessel, recycling said copper sulfate solution to said first pressure leaching vessel, discharging the residue from said second leaching vessel to a sulphur flotation means, withdrawing sulphur from said flotation means, withdrawing unreacted zinc sulfide from said flotation means and recycling said zinc sulfide to said first pressure leaching vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 in which the amount of oxygen in said first leaching vessel is about 20 to 100 psig.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the ratio of zinc sulfide to copper sulfate in said first pressure leaching vessel is in excess of the molar quantities needed for reaction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the ratio of Zn to Cu iN said first pressure leaching vessel is 1:1 to 1:2 and the conversion of zinc sulfide to zinc sulfate therein is from 40 to 80 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the charge to said second leaching vessel is unreacted zinc sulfide, a copper sulfide, and about 1 mole of sulfuric acid per mole of copper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |