PREPARATION OF CALCIUM SULFATE HEMIHYDRATE WHISKERS FROM COMPLEX JAROSITE WASTE

Complex jarosite waste was obtained from zinc metal hydrometallurgical process, which contained gypsum and ammonium jarosite (NH4Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6). The influence of impurity ions (Fe3+ and NH4+) on the calcium sulfate hemihydrate (HH) morphology was studied using pure gypsum as the raw material, respectively. HH crystals with a high aspect ratio were obtained without the impurity ions. The diameter increased and the aspect ratio of the HH decreased, while the addition of iron sulfate and ammonia sulfate increased. Ammonium iron (NH4+) can be removed by using calcium oxide to decompose the ammonium jarosite in the waste and then to wash the sediment with tap water. The sediment (calcified jarosite sediment) mainly contained CaSO4·2H2O and Fe(OH)3. The influence of cultivating time on HH crystals growth was researched by using the sediment as raw materials. The diameter of the whiskers increased, while the hydrothermal time increased. The whiskers were obtained, with high a aspect ratio (10–60), large diameter (1–4 µm) and smooth surface, after the sediment was treated at 140 °C for 6 h in pH = 5 solution.

Hydrometallurgical Recovery and Process Optimization of Rare Earth Fluorides from Recycled Magnets

Magnets containing substantial quantities of rare earth elements are currently one of the most sought-after commodities because of their strategic importance. Recycling these rare earth magnets after their life span has been identified to be a unique approach for mitigating environmental issues that originate from mining and also for sustaining natural resources. The approach is hydrometallurgical, with leaching and precipitation followed by separation and recovery of neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr) and dysprosium (Dy) in the form of rare earth fluorides (REF) as the final product. The methodology is specifically comprised of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) leaching and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) precipitation followed by reacting the filtrate with ammonium bifluoride (NH4F·HF) to yield the REF. Additional filtering also produces ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) as a byproduct fertilizer. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations by means of XRD, ICP and TGA-DSC to determine decomposition of ammonium jarosite, which is an impurity in the recovery process were performed. Additionally, conditional and response variables were used in a surface-response model to optimize REF production from end-of-life magnets. A REF recovery of 56.2% with a REF purity of 62.4% was found to be optimal.

Preparation of Pyrrhotite from Ammonium Jarosite and Estimation of Activation Energy in Reducing Atmosphere

Ammonium jarosite sediment is a by-product of hydrometallurgical process used to extract zinc metal, which, which contains heavy metal ions and raises severe environmental concerns The transformation of jarosite sediment into high-value-added sulfide products through simple processing is a cost-effective and efficient strategy to overcome environmental and waste management issues. Herein, the influence of sulfur on thermal decomposition of ammonium jarosite is investigated in reducing atmosphere. The results reveal that the presence of sulfur promoted the decomposition of ammonium jarosite and szomolnokite and iron oxide phases have been observed after being heat treated at 300 °C. Moreover, after heat treatment at 700 °C, the decomposition of jarosite/sulfur mixture resulted in the formation of pyrrhotite phase, which can be used as a raw material for sulfuric acid production. Lastly, the activation energy of pyrrhotite formation has been estimated by using KAS equation and found to be 216.2 kJ/mol in reducing atmosphere.

The Behavior of Arsenic during the Thermal and Chemical Decomposition of the Ammonium–Arsenic Jarosite

Arsenic, an element of environmental impact, can be incorporated into jarosite–type compounds and remain stabilised within the structure under a wide range of environmental conditions. In this study, a sample of ammonium–arsenic jarosite was synthesised by precipitation in sulphate medium at controlled pH of 1.2–1.8. The behaviour of arsenic during the thermal and chemical decomposition of jarosite was analysed; the degradation in alkaline medium of jarosite was also studied. According to the results, the synthesised jarosite is composed of joined rhombohedral crystals, forming tightly spherical shaped particles, 37–54 μm size. The ammonium jarosite produced possessed a high arsenic concentration; its calculated stoichiometry being (NH4)Fe2.45[(SO4)1.80(AsO4)0.20][(OH)4.15(H20)1.85]. It was found that arsenic is stabilised in the jarosite structure; upon heating, it remains in residual solids above 700°C, whilst in alkaline medium an incongruent dissolution takes place, with the arsenic retained in the solid phase along with iron. These solids, when exposed to high temperatures (1200°C), transform into a type of iron oxide known as hematite, so with arsenic it is retained an iron compound forming a stable compound which withstands high temperatures.