processo de eliminação de carbono total, orgánico e inorgánico, em concentrado flotado de silicato de zinco, com adicional efeito de purga de águas e magnésio no circuito de produção de zinco.

摘要

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 takes 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 high-pressure treatment of the zinc silicate concentrate in autoclaves at elevated temperature with secondary Zn-bearing solutions, thereby avoiding the costly 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.