A green method for extraction of Bi and Pb from bismuth-rich melt by super-gravity

• Published in: Chemical engineering research & design Vol. 164; pp. 209 - 218
• Main Authors: Wen, Xiaochun, Yang, Yiru, Bao, Qipeng, Guo, Lei, Guo, Zhancheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rugby Elsevier B.V 01.12.2020; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Bi and Pb; Bi Gan; Bismuth; Bismuth-rich melt; Centrifugal filtration; Competitive intelligence; Extraction; Extraction processes; Gravitational fields; Gravity; Liquid phases; Materials recovery; Separation; Smelting; Specific gravity; Super-gravity; Extraction; Bismuth-rich melt; Bi and Pb; Super-gravity
• ISSN: 0263-8762; 1744-3563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2020.09.027

A green method for extraction of Bi and Pb from the bismuth-rich melt by super-gravity has proposed according to the theoretical analyses and calculations of the Stokes’ law. [Display omitted] •The migration velocity of the Bi solid phase was calculated based on the Stokes’ law.•The micro-characterization of samples obtained after super-gravity separation was analyzed.•The efficient and rapid extraction of Bi and Pb from the bismuth-rich melt was achieved. The traditional method of separating bismuth-rich melt produced from the fire smelting of bismuth slags has some imperfections of the complicated operation, low recovery rate of metals and harmful to the environment and human health. As a result of these concerns, a green method for extraction of Bi and Pb from the bismuth-rich melt by super-gravity has been proposed in this study. The extraction mechanism of Bi and Pb was discussed in detail. And influences of the super-gravity field on the separation of bismuth-rich melt were investigated. It can be noted that the Bi solid was difficult to be separated from the liquid phase under a normal-gravity field. In contrast, after centrifugal filtration with optimum conditions of G=600, T=130°C and t=90s, the mass-specific gravity for Bi residual of Bi-5wt%Pb and Bi-15wt%Pb melts achieved 87.92% and 63.28%, and the purity of Bi residual could be up to 99.49% and 99.28%. Meanwhile, the removal rate of Pb reached 89.80% and 95.20%, respectively. Therefore, it is a promising technology for green extraction of Bi and Pb from the bismuth-rich melt in terms of the remarkable advantages of high separation efficiency, continuous operation and environmentally friendly.