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OwnerBryn Harris, Carl Whiteinventors
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A process is disclosed for the oxidation and thermal decomposition of metal chlorides, leading to an efficient and effective separation of nuisance elements such as iron and aluminum from value metals such as copper and nickel. In the first instance, oxidation, especially for iron, is effected in an electrolytic reactor, wherein ferrous iron is oxidised to ferric. In a second embodiment, the oxidised solution is treated in a hydrothermal decomposer reactor, wherein decomposable trivalent metal chlorides form oxides and divalent metal chlorides form basic chlorides. The latter are soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid, and may be selectively re-dissolved from the hydrothermal solids, thereby effecting a clean separation. Hydrochloric acid is recovered from the hydrothermal reactor.
A process for the oxidation of ferrous iron in chloride solutions and recovery of hydrochloric acid, comprising:
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