Extraction of metals from sea nodules
AssigneeCommissariat a l'Energie Atomique
InventorsPierre Faugeras, Pierre Miquel, Michele Robaglia
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Abstract
The method comprises the steps of crushing of the ore, neutralization by a mixture of water and sulphuric acid, introduction of a controlled quantity of sulphur dioxide gas at a pH value between 1.5 and 4 for promoting dissolution of nickel, copper and a desired quantity of manganese, leaching of the ore with sulphuric acid at a pH value between 1 and 3 for selectively dissolving the nickel and copper, separation of the solid and liquid phases, and separation of the metals contained in the liquid phase.
Claims8
A method for extraction of metals from manganiferous sea nodules, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- a. crushing of the ore;
- b. mixing the crushed ore with a first sulphuric acid solution to form a pulp;
- c. neutralizing the pulp by contact with a second sulphuric acid solution to adjust the pH of the pulp to 2 to 4, leaving substantially all the metals dissolved in the ore;
- d. introducing a controlled quantity of sulphur dioxide gas corresponding to the stoichiometry of the reaction of sulphation of manganese dioxide by sulphur dioxide at a pH value within the range of 1.5 to 4 with agitation in order to break down the structure of the neutralized ore and promote subsequent dissolution of the metals including the desired quantity of manganese;
- e. leaching the ore with sulphuric acid at a pH value within the range of 1 to 3;
- f. separating the solid and liquid phases;
- and
- g. separating the metals contained in the liquid phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.