Publications

The main aim of this research is to determine optimal leaching conditions; Eh, pH and complexing agent concentrations, for recovery of Copper from hydroxide sludges such as those produced by electroplating shops, metal finishers, treatment of acid mine drainage, and industrial wastewater in general. This has been preceded by a theoretical approach and numerical and computer calculation. Potential-pH diagrams for the copper-water-ammonia, copper-watercyanide, copper-water-glycine, copper-water-ethylenediamine (En) and copper-water-ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) systems are derived at different total copper and complexing agent concentrations. The originality of our method is the introduction of a rigorous calculating method; we don’t neglect any equilibrium or species for Eh-pH diagrams and with the free concentration of complexing agent (pL-pH) diagram to show the stable regions of soluble copper species.

The main aim of this research work is to determine optimal leaching conditions: Eh, pH and total ammonia concentrations, for recovery of copper and nickel from electroplating hydroxide sludges containing iron, chrome, copper and nickel hydroxides. This has been preceded by a theoretical approach and numerical and computer calculation. By maintaining total dissolved metal and total ammonia constant, all equilibriums are taken into consideration simultaneously. The diagrams then show stable domains for the solution and solids. Solubility curves and potential-pH diagrams for the copper-water-ammonia and nickel-water-ammonia systems at different total metal and different total ammonia concentrations have been presented. This analysis has practical value in interpreting the process conditions required to conduct hydrometallurgical process.