SULPHUR TRIOXIDE IN METALLURGY

Reactions of sulphur trioxide (SO3) with minerals and ores (or potential metallurgical importance) are outlined and their potential applications are briefly reviewed. The characteristic reaction with oxides (MO+SO3=MSO4) has been used to treat complex oxide ores at temperatures between 400 and 750 deg C. Thus small amounts of uranium in slate ash have been converted to a water-soluble form by treating it with SO3 at 600 deg C. Similarly, nickel and iron contained in laterite have been solubilized. Sulphur trioxide has been proposed for the recovery of manganese from low grade ores, and for the solubilization of beryllium. The reaction of suplhur trioxide with sulphides has also been studied. Zinc sulphide has been converted to the sulphate. Copper and nickel have been extracted from a complex sulphide ore by contacting the ore with a mixture of sulphur oxide and air at 520 deg. C. The action of a mixture of sulphur dioxide dioxide and oxygen on chalcopyrite at 600-800 deg. C is discussed. The reaction of sulphur trioxide with sulphide is important in metallurgy. A promising outlet for sulphur and sulphur dioxide (from the desulphurization of natural gas, petroleum etc.) is their conversion of sulphur trioxide for treating metal ores.

• Corporate Authors:

  Sulphur Institute

  1725 K Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20006
• Authors:
  • Habashi, F
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 12-14
• Serial:
  • Sulphur Institute Journal
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beryllium; Chemical reactions; Copper; Iron ores; Manganese; Measuring instruments; Metallurgy; Minerals; Nickel; Ores; Oxides; Solutions (Chemistry); Sulfates; Sulfides; Sulfur dioxide; Sulfur oxides; Uranium; Zinc
• Old TRIS Terms: Chalcopyrite; Copper ores; Nickel ores; Solutions
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097419
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 0039-4904
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 1975 12:00AM