Thermodynamic modelling of iron solubility in sulphide mineral leaching

Abstract

In this study the effects of pH and temperature on iron solubility were predicted using the geochemical modelling code PHREEQC and the thermodynamic database WATEQ4F. The modelling results demonstrated that the solubility of secondary solid phases formed under acid bioleaching conditions decreases with increasing temperature and also with increasing pH. Modelling calculations showed that bioleaching solutions are typically supersaturated with respect to K-, Na-, NH4-, and H3O-jarosites and the precipitates are typically solid solutions containing their mixtures. Jarosite solubility modelling results were also compared with a data set from jarosite synthesis experiments. Model-derived temperature dependence of hydronium-jarosite correlated very well with the actual experimental data. © (2009) Trans Tech Publications.