Chemistry of metallurgical processes

Increasing demand, particularly for strategically important metals, is now forcing the development of lower-grade or more complex resources. This has led to the development of alternative hydrometallurgical or ionometallurgical processes that can be more efficient than traditional pyrometallurgy. The selective leaching of valuable metals from a range of resources such as minerals, concentrates and fly ash is currently being investigated. The leaching experiments are carried out in both aqueous solutions and ionic liquids. We also determine the speciation and stability constants of metal complexes, which provides an essential basis for thermodynamic modelling. This enables us to predict the behaviour of the target metals under conditions that are relevant for extraction and separation processes. The optimisation of industrial processes is important to reduce the environmental impact of metallurgical processing by developing greener and more sustainable technologies, minimising waste production and reducing energy consumption.

Selected publications

• A particle-based approach to predict the success and selectivity of leaching processes using ethaline - Comparison of simulated and experimental results
  Ch. Widyananda Winardhia, J. R. da Assuncao Godinho, C. Rachmawati, I. Duhamel Achin, A. Unzurrunzaga Iturbe, G. Frisch, J. Gutzmer
  Hydrometallurgy, 105869 (2022) read online (open access)
• Investigating the dissolution of iron sulfide and arsenide minerals in deep eutectic solvents
  J. M. Hartley, A. Z. M. Al-Bassam, R. C. Harris, G. Frisch, G. R. T. Jenkin, A. P. Abbott
  Hydrometallurgy 198, 10551 (2020) read online
• Leaching and selective extraction of indium and tin from zinc flue dust using an oxalic acid-based deep eutectic solvent
  P. Zürner, G. Frisch
  ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 7(5), 5300-5308 (2019) read online