Research Progress on the Recovery of Zinc from Steelmaking Dust by Calcination-Chlorination-Deep Eutectic Solvent Complexation Technology

Chunxia Zhang; Zejiao Wang; Yuezu Hu; Mengsi Yan; Weihao Cui; Shengtao He

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202602_12(2).0008

Authors

Chunxia Zhang
Zejiao Wang
Yuezu Hu
Mengsi Yan
Weihao Cui
Shengtao He

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202602_12(2).0008

Keywords:

Steelmaking Dust; Deep Eutectic Solvents; Calcination Chlorination; Composite Technology; Hydrometallurgical Zinc Extraction.

Abstract

Zinc, as a key raw material for the national economy, has seen a continuous increase in demand in China over the past two decades. In 2018, China's global consumption share exceeded 50%, making the recycling of zinc-containing waste an important way to ensure resource security. Steelmaking dust, a typical zinc-containing waste, had a zinc content of 400,000 to 1.5 million tons in China in 2018. However, traditional acid leaching consumes a large amount of acid and has complex iron removal processes, while ammonia leaching has a low leaching rate and high pollution risks, which have restricted the efficiency of zinc recovery. Low-melting eutectic solvents (DESs), with advantages such as being green and degradable and having an atomic utilization rate of 100%, offer a new direction for hydrometallurgical zinc extraction. The calcium-chlorination-DES composite technology breaks down the ZnFe₂O₄ spinel structure at low temperatures with a calcination agent, releasing easily soluble zinc compounds, which are then selectively leached by DES. The hydrogen bond complexation effect of DES enhances the solubility of zinc, achieving efficient separation of zinc and iron simultaneously. The zinc recovery rate reaches 85% to 95%, and the leaching time is reduced by 50%. This paper reviews the theoretical mechanism and research progress at home and abroad of this technology, analyzes the core challenges such as the optimization of calcination agents and the recycling and regeneration of DES, and proposes solutions such as the compounding of calcination agents and multi-stage recycling processes. Looking ahead, the optimization of compound calcination agents and the modification of DES molecules will be key research directions. This composite technology provides a green and efficient path for the resource utilization of zinc-containing waste and is of great significance for ensuring the strategic security of zinc resources in China.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] IWASE G, OKUMURA K. Nonisothermal Investigation of Reaction Kinetics between Electric Arc Furnace Dust and Calcium Chloride under Carbon-Containing Conditions [J]. ISIJ International, 2021, 61(10): 2483-2489.

[2] Guo Ting, Hu Xiaojun, Hou Xinmei, et al. Mechanism of Chlorination Reaction between ZnFe2O4 and CaCl2 [J]. Journal of University of Science and Technology Beijing, 2011, 33 (4): 574-578.

[3] Chairaksa-Fujimoto R, Inoue Y, Umeda N, et al.New pyrometallurgical process of EAF dust treatment with CaO addition [J].International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials, 2015, 22( 8) : 788-797.

[4] Jiang Liudong, Li Pingping, Du Chuanming. Effect of CaO Modification on Selective Leaching of Zinc from ZnFe2O4 [J]. Journal of Materials and Metallurgy, 2023, 22 (4): 307-312.

[5] Qi Dexing, Yu Shui, Guo Qiuyue, et al. Thermodynamic Behavior of Calcination and Carbothermal Reduction of ZnFe2O4 [J]. Nonferrous Metals Science and Engineering, 2024, 15 (4): 505-512.

[6] Gupta A, Armatis P D, Sabharwall P, et al. Kinetics of Ca(OH)2 decomposition in pure Ca(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2-CaTiO3 composite pellets for application in thermochemical energy storage System [J]. Chemical Engineering Science, 2021, 246: 116986.

[7] Sawada Y, Ito Y. Thermal decomposition of calcium hydroxide deposited on the Substrate [J]. Thermochimica Acta, 1994, 232(1): 47–54.

[8] Boning R. Review on thermal properties and reaction kinetics of Ca(OH)2 /CaO thermochemical energy storage Materials [J]. Electrical Materials and Applications, 2024, 1(1).

[9] Wang L, Li S, Zhang Y, et al. Kinetic study on the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate in air and CO₂ atmospheres [J]. Thermochimica Acta, 2020, 691: 178–185.

[10] Rodriguez-Navarro C, Ruiz-Agudo E, Luque A, et al. Thermal decomposition of calcite: Mechanisms and microstructural effects [J]. Crystal Growth & Design, 2016, 16(4): 1850–1860.

[11] Borgwardt R H. Calcination kinetics and surface area of dispersed limestone particles [J]. AIChE Journal, 1989, 35(2): 267–274.

[12] Abbott A P, Frisch G, Hartley J, et al.Processing of metals and metal oxides using ionic liquids [J]. Green Chemistry,2011, 13(3): 471−481.

[13] Zhang Yuan. Research on the Leaching of ZnO Ore with Deep Eutectic Solvent-Type Ionic Liquids [D]. Kunming University of Science and Technology, 2015.

[14] Zhang Yuan, Li Linfei, Li Jian, et al. Dissolution Behavior of ZnO in Choline Chloride-Hydrated Oxalic Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent [J]. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), 2016, 48(7): 2591-2599.

[15] Xiao Yang, Lyu Huifei, Ren Shuaijing, et al. Study on the Inhibition of Coal Spontaneous Combustion by Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids [J]. Journal of China University of Mining & Technology, 2019, 48(1): 175-181.

[16] Abbott A P, Capper G, Davies D L. Solubility of Metal Oxides in Deep Eutectic Solvents Based on Choline Chloride [J].Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data,2006,51(4):1280-1282.

[17] McCluskey A.,Lawrance.A,Owen M.sMamilton I C.Ionic Liquids:From Green Chemistry to Refing[A].In:Proceedings of the Green( or Greener)Industrial Applications of Ionic Liquids,221st American Chemical Society National Meeting[C].San Diego,USA,2001.

[18] Dong Tianguang. Application of Ionic Liquids in Hydrometallurgy of Chalcopyrite [D]. Kunming: Kunming University of Science and Technology, 2009.