EXTRACTING ZINC FROM OXIDIZED MINERALS VIA AN INDUCTION FURNACE

This auricle describes the mineral characteristics, thermodynamic anal yses, kinetic tests, and coordinated mass and energy balance of a zinc extraction process for oxidized minerals. The reduction, performed in an induction furnace with a load of 3 kg, permits almost complete zin c extraction in the temperature range 1,659-1,673 K after 90 minutes. The process is thermodynamically advantageous, shows small irreversibi lity, and yields two interesting by-products: exhaust gas with high CO content and iron alloys. The discard slag does not contain toxic comp onents, and the zinc oxide produced meets the requirements for hydrome tallurgical processing.