Energy-efficient sustainable processes by “Thiometallurgy”

Abstract

Free or combined sulfur has been used as both the raw material and the energy material in carrying out economical manufacture of several metals in millions of tons per year quantities over the past century. This has controlled carbon emissions in an unintentional fashion and out of necessity as the ores in many cases have been sulfides to start with. The inherent benefits of “thiometallurgy," which uses sulfur in the extraction of metals in alleviating CO2 and water vapor-greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and its ability to provide a cost-effective energy material solution equates to sustainability of the process. Such solutions are not only applicable to existing base metal production but, as the authors will show, also are applicable to newer processes in the production of other metals and chemicals, The concept of generating “thiopower” as an alternative energy approach isalso introduced.