Process for the recovery of metals and hydrochloric acid

A method of recovering hydrochloric acid and metal from a chloride liquor, the method comprising the steps of:

• injecting the chloride liquor into a matrix solution comprising ZnCl2 to produce a reaction mixture;
• and
• injecting an oxygen containing gas into the reaction mixture;
• wherein the solution assists hydrolysis of the metal in the reaction mixture and produces HCl.

A method for recovering hydrochloric acid and metal oxide from a metal containing chloride liquor, the method comprising the steps of:

• mixing the chloride liquor and a matrix solution comprising ZnCl2 to produce a reaction mixture;
• and
• injecting an oxygen containing gas into the reaction mixture;
• wherein the matrix solution assists hydrolysis and oxidation of the metal with HCl production.

A reactor for recovering hydrochloric acid and metal from a chloride-based feed solution, the reactor comprising:

• a tank compatible with a mixture comprising the metal chloride solution, a matrix solution, an oxygen containing gas and a solid comprising a metal oxide, the tank comprising:
• a base,
• the base defining a first diameter and a first cross sectional area, the base comprising a metal oxide slurry outlet, a matrix solution outlet and a gas inlet located adjacent a bottom region of the base;
• a top opposite the base,
• the top comprising a metal chloride solution feed inlet, a hydrochloric acid outlet, a matrix solution inlet, the top defining a gas expansion zone having a second cross sectional area and,
• a wall attached to the top and the base defining a volume and a height of the tank;
• wherein the oxygen containing gas injected at the gas inlet raises through the mixture contained in the tank;
• wherein a ratio of the second cross sectional area to the first cross sectional area is greater than 1 and whereby hydrochloric acid leaves the mixture as a hydrochloric acid containing gas in the gas expansion zone at the top of the tank.

A process for recovering hydrochloric acid and metal from a chloride-based feed solution, the process comprising:

• providing a ferrous chloride solution;
• mixing the ferrous chloride solution and a matrix solution together to produce a mixture, wherein the matrix solution comprises ZnCl2 ;
• injecting an oxygen containing gas into the mixture, to oxygenate the matrix;
• and
• recovering oxidized or hydrolyzed ferrous iron and hydrochloric acid.