Optimization of conditions in sulfuric acid leaching of Turkish chromite concentrates

Date

2006

Author

Ustaoğlu, Emre

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In this thesis work, a high grade chromite concentrate obtained from Pınarbaşı, Kayseri region of Turkey was reacted with sulfuric acid solution to determine the optimum conditions of leaching of chromite ores. Conventional methods for producing chromium are still valid in industry. The main process in production includes soda melting and taking it into solution in the form of chemical compounds such as sodium dichromate. Three and six valence states of chromium have importance in production. Trivalent chromium, chrome ore or chromite have no harmful effects. However, compounds of hexavalent chromium show toxic, irritating and corrosive action to people and environment. In the mentioned conventional method, main products consist of hexavalent chromium compounds. In this study, only trivalent chromium remained in the leach solution and did not change to hexavalent state. Obtained product after leaching was chromium(III) sulfate. The maximum extraction of chromium in the absence of perchloric acid was 94.1 % under the conditions of 175 °C, 6 hours and 84.6 wt % sulfuric acid. The maximum extraction of chromium in the presence of perchloric acid was 98.7 % under the conditions of 175 °C, 2 hours, 84.6 wt % sulfuric acid and ½ perchloric acid / chromite ratio. The latter one was also the highest recovery value obtained during the experiments. Moreover, in none of the analyzed samples, appreciable amounts of hexavalent chromium was found during analyses.

Subject Keywords

Metallurgy.

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/2/12607344/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/16254

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis