Abstract:
Dissolution behaviour of naturally occurring hematite (> 97% Fe2O3) in hydrochloric acid medium with or without the presence of reductants has been investigated as a function of acid concentration, temperature, liquid/solid ratio, reductant concentration and particle size. FeC1(2) and SnCl2 are found as the best reductants among all the organic and inorganic reductants. Addition of FeCl2 or SnCl2 to the extent of 2 wt % enhances the formation of Fe2+ in the solution which in turn increases the percentage of dissolution and also lowers the time of dissolution (> 90%) from 6 to 3h.