Reductive dissolution of hematite in hydrochloric acid medium by some inorganic and organic reductants: A comparative study

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">Dissolution behaviour of naturally occurring hematite (> 97% Fe₂O₃) in hydrochloric acid medium with or without the presence of reductants has been investigated as a function of acid concentration, temperature, liquid/solid ratio, reductant concentration and particle size. FeCl₂ and SnCl₂ are found as the best reductants among all the organic and inorganic reductants. Addition of FeCl₂ or SnCl₂ to the extent of 2 wt % enhances the formation of Fe²⁺ in the solution which in turn increases the percentage of dissolution and also lowers the time of dissolution (> 90%) from 6 to 3h.</span>