Ammonium Chloride Leaching for Copper Sulfide Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering copper from copper sulfide ores, such as pyrometallurgical processes, are energy-intensive and produce undesirable emissions, while hydrometallurgical processes for copper sulfides are not commercially viable.
Innovation Solution
A hydrometallurgical process involving leaching copper sulfide minerals with an aqueous ammonium chloride solution at controlled temperatures and pH, followed by copper extraction through solvent extraction, electrowinning, or ion exchange, effectively recovering copper from minerals like chalcopyrite and other copper sulfides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pyrometallurgical processes are used to recover copper from copper sulfide ores, then copper can be recovered, but energy consumption is high and greenhouse gas emissions are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the leaching solution by using ammonium chloride instead of traditional sulfuric acid, and controls temperature parameters (40-95°C) to enable effective copper recovery from sulfide ores without the high energy consumption and emissions associated with pyrometallurgical processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal/chemical system of pyrometallurgy with a hydrometallurgical system using ammonium chloride leaching, substituting high-temperature processing with aqueous solution-based extraction at much lower temperatures
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional hydrometallurgical processes are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but they are not effective for copper sulfide ores
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of the leaching solution by using ammonium chloride and controlling pH (1-10) and temperature (40-95°C) to achieve effective copper recovery from sulfide ores, making the hydrometallurgical process reliable for this ore type
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces ammonium chloride as an intermediary substance that facilitates copper extraction from sulfide ores, acting as a mediator between the ore and the extraction process to enable effective copper recovery
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process achieves high copper recovery efficiency, producing copper of greater than 99.99% purity with reduced energy consumption and minimal environmental impact, and allows for the recovery of other metals like silver, lead, and zinc.
Implementation Method 1
leaching the copper sulfide minerals with an aqueous ammonium chloride solution
Implementation Method 2
extracting the copper from the leachate through solvent extraction
Implementation Method 3
extracting the copper from the leachate through solvent extraction or electrowinning
Data Source
AI summary
A process for recovering copper from copper sulfide minerals, the method comprising the steps of leaching copper sulfide minerals with an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride containing cupric chloride at a temperature of between about 40° C. and about 95° C. at atmospheric pressure, to produce a solution of cuprous/cupric chloride.