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One-step electrochemical reduction of stibnite concentrate in molten borax

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Abstract

In this study, antimony production from a stibnite concentrate (Sb2S3) was performed in one step using a molten salt electrolysis method and borax as an electrolyte. Electrochemical reduction of the stibnite concentrate was performed at 800°C under galvanostatic conditions and explained in detail by the reactions and intermediate compounds formed in the borax. The effects of current density (100–800 mA·cm−2) and electrolysis time (10–40 min) on cathodic current efficiency and antimony yields were systematically investigated. During the highest current efficiency, which was obtained at 600 mA·cm−2, direct metal production was possible with 62% cathodic current efficiency and approximately 6 kWh/kg energy consumption. At the end of the 40-min electrolysis duration at 600 mA·cm−2 current density, antimony reduction reached 30.7 g and 99% of the antimony fed to the cell was obtained as metal.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Eti Bakır Halıköy İşletmeleri A.S for supplying stibnite concentrate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Hitit University, Coram, 19030, Turkey

    Levent Kartal

  2. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, 34469, Turkey

    Mehmet Barış Daryal, Güldem Kartal Şireli & Servet Timur

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  1. Levent Kartal
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  2. Mehmet Barış Daryal
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Correspondence to Levent Kartal.

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Kartal, L., Daryal, M.B., Şireli, G.K. et al. One-step electrochemical reduction of stibnite concentrate in molten borax. Int J Miner Metall Mater 26, 1258–1265 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1867-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1867-9

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