The Autoclave Oxidation Of Sulphur, Selenium And Arsenic

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9 CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATIONS
9.1 Conclusions
The autoclave oxidation of sulphur, selenium and arsenic has been studied in terms of investigating the dissolution behaviour in an alkaline system. Also the mathematical description of the interfacial mass transfer rate of the primary oxidant-diatomic oxygen (O2) molecule) from the gas to the liquid phase has been evaluated. The conclusions are summarized as follows:
9.1.1 Reaction Chemistry of sulphur
In the alkaline pressure oxidation of PGM’s system, sulphur reacts with an excess of hydroxide resulting in a solution containing sulphate, sulphite, thiosulphate, polysulphides and free hydroxide ions. The sulphite ion is predominant at high oxidation potential while the other species are formed …show more content…

A number of conclusions may be drawn from the foregoing …show more content…

The reaction rate was a strong function of oxygen partial pressure with a significant increase in reaction rate with increase oxygen partial pressure. The reaction order of 0.37 for reaction with respect to dissolved oxygen concentration was obtained.
IV. The reaction rate decreased with increase in pulp density because of mass transfer limitations. The reaction rate with respect to pulp density was not obtained.
9.1.3 Reaction chemistry of selenium
Selenium is in close proximity to sulphur and the chemical behaviour is similar in many respects. In alkaline oxidation of selenium, selenite and selenate are the predominant species. However, at higher oxidation potential as is the case in this study, selenite is possibly formed as an intermediate species while selenate predominates.
9.1.4 Reaction Kinetics of selenium
Just as in the case of sulphur, kinetics of pressure oxidation of selenium was studied under various conditions in the temperature range of 160 to 190°C. The following conclusions can be drawn from the

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