Effect of process variables on oxidative pressurized acid leaching of copper electrorefining anode slimes

Abstract

Extraction of Cu, Ni, As and Te from copper electrorefining anode slimes was studied. Such parameters as sulfuric acid concentration, temperature and oxygen partial pressure had a positive effect on the oxidative pressurized acid leaching in the decreasing order in contrast to the solids concentration. For nickel extraction, temperature, sulfuric acid concentration, combined effect of temperature and sulfuric acid concentration as well as solids concentration and sulfuric acid concentration had a positive effect, in a decreasing order. In the case of arsenic extraction, combined effect of temperature and sulfuric acid concentration, temperature as well as sulfuric acid concentration had positive in the decreasing order. During tellurium extraction, none of the parameters investigated gave the statistically valid response. Basing on the regression analysis, appropriate models for the dissolution of copper and arsenic could be build.