Dissolution kinetics of smithsonite ore as an alternative zinc source with an organic leach reagent

In this study, the dissolution kinetics of smithsonite ore in aqueous gluconic acid solutions is investigated in a batch reactor by using the parameters such as temperature, acid concentration, particle size and stirring speed. It is determined that experimental data comply with shrinking core model. It is found in the study that stirring speed is not effective on dissolution rate and that the dissolution rate is controlled by surface chemical reaction. The activation energy of the process is determined to be 47.92 kJ/mol. Moreover, the effect of ultrasound energy on the temperature as the most effective parameter is researched in order to observe the effect of ultrasound energy on dissolution rate. In experiments performed by using ultrasound energy in different temperatures it is determined that ultrasound energy has a positive contribution on dissolution rate although it has little effect. (c) 2008 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.