A semiempirical kinetic model for dissolution of sphalerite in hydrochloric acid solutions

The dissolution of sphalerite ore in hydrochloric acid solutions was investigated in a batch reactor employing the parameters of acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, stirring speed, reaction temperature and particle size. It was observed that the dissolution rate increased with increasing acid concentration, reaction temperature and stirring speed, and with decreasing particle size and solid-to-liquid ratio. Using graphical and statistical methods, a semiempirical mathematical model including the effect of the parameters above-chosen was established. The activation energy for the process was found to be 68.795 kJ(.)mol(-1). The value of the activation energy indicates that the process is chemically controlled.