Coupling process of sphalerite concentrate leaching in FeCl3-HCl and tetrachloroethylene extracting of sulfur

The coupling process of sphalerite concentrate leaching in FeCl₃-HCl solutions and tetrachloroethylene extracting of sulfur were studied. Principle of leaching and effects of leaching temperature, leaching time and tetrachloroethylene concentration on leaching processes were investigated separately. The results indicated that 96.7% zinc extraction was obtained after four hours of leaching at 85 °C, with 10g sphalerite concentrate in 200ml solution containing 3.0 mol/L FeCl₃, 2.0 mol/L HC1 and 0.2 g/L surfactant, in the presence of 10 ml tetrachloroethylene. The zinc extraction was 20% higher than the common leaching. The coupling effect was distinct.