Iván A. Reyes

Alkaline reactivity of arsenical natrojarosite

Jarosites are compounds that can undergo substitutions with several elements of environmental importance (such as As5+) during precipitation. Arsenic integrated in the structure could influence the solubility of the jarosite, potentially stabilizing the structure under a wide range of conditions that are tolerated by pure jarosite. Alkaline reactivity is characterized by the removal of sulfate and sodium ions from the lattice and by the formation of a gel consisting of iron hydroxides with adsorbed arsenate. The decomposition curves show an induction period, followed by a conversion period. The induction period is independent from the particle size and decreases exponentially as the temperature increases. The conversion period is characterized by the formation of a hydroxide halo around an unreacted arsenical natrojarosite core. The kinetic data are consistent with the chemical control of the process. The expression obtained in NaOH medium for [OH-] concentrations ranging from 3.84 × 10-3 to 1.08 × 10-1 mol L-1 is the following: r0/-v[1 - (1 - x)1/3] = 3.11 × 109 exp(-57.110/RT) [OH-]0.7 t. The expression in Ca(OH)2 medium for [OH-] concentrations ranging from 2.21 × 10-2 to 6.98 × 10-2 mol L-1 is the following: r0/-v[1 - (1 - x)1/3] = 9.22 × 1011 exp(-48.610/RT) [OH-]1.51 t.

Chemical and Mineralogical Characterization of a Mixed Sulphide Ore at Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico

Chemical and mineralogical characterization of a sulphide ore from the mining district of Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico, was performed in order to obtain accurate information on the composition of the ore to optimize the subsequent flotation process. A combination of techniques was used: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SEM mapping confirmed the presence of the elements: Ca, Si, Fe, K, S, Al, Zn, Mg and Mn. The XRD analysis suggests that the ore matrix is calcite; additional species found were wollastonite, johannsenite, and pyrite, among other impurities. The FTIR analysis performed for the aqua regia insoluble showed the presence of calcium oxide, copper oxide and silicon oxide. The results for the ICP analysis were:13.31% S, 2.55% Fe, 0.46% Zn, 0.03% Cu, 0.06% Pb, 0.07% Mn, 0.09% As, 0.01% Sb and 0.08 grton-1 Ag.