Solubility of ZnS concentrate containing pyrite and chalcopypite in HNO3 solutions

In this study, the dissolution of ZnS concentrate in HNO3 solutions was investigated, taking into consideration the effect of acid concentration, stirring speed and reaction temperature. It was observed that the dissolution rate increased with increasing acid concentration and reaction temperature, but no effect of stirring speed was observed. Using the experimental data, we attempted to establish a kinetic model for the dissolution process. Employing graphical and statistical methods, the following kinetic model including the effect of the above chosen parameters, was established. - Ln (1 - X) = 4412.71 . (C)(1.25) - exp (-48150/RT) . t(0.74) The activation molar energy of the dissolution process was found to be 48.15 kJ . mol(-1).