Experimental determination and model simulation of the solid-liquid equilibria in the ZnSO4-Zn(OH)2-H2O system

The solubility data and pH of the ZnSO4-Zn(OH)2-H2O system were elaborately measured at T = 291.15, 298.15, 308.15, and 323.15 K, and the solid phases were determined by XRD to be ZnSO4 · 3Zn(OH)2 · 5H2O. The Pitzer model was applied to simulate thermodynamically and predict the relationship between mass percent of ZnSO4 and pH in the ZnSO4-Zn(OH)2-H2O system taking account of the equilibrium of ions over the temperature from 273.15 to 323.15 K. Based on the experimental data and the calculation results, a theoretical direction of avoiding base zinc sulfate forming in industrial processes was advised.