Quantitative leaching of galena

Abstract

Experiments on the quantitative leaching of lead from galena in hydrochloric acid solutions are reported. The effects of contact time, acid concentration, number of leaching stages, solid to liquid ratio, particle size, temperature, and stirring speed, on the leaching reaction are reported. About 96% of lead was dissolved within 120 min by 8.42 M hydrochloric acid solution at 95°C. Multi-stage leaching was not so advantageous, but the extent of leaching increased greatly with temperature. The optimum solid to liquid phase ratio and particle size were found to be 1/30 kg/L and -88+53 μm, respectively. Dissolution was enhanced by stirring speed over the range 0 to 400 min-1 and reached a steady rate thereafter.