In the extraction industry, iridium metal is undoubtedly a hot topic, and now one gram of higher purity iridium material can reach more than 850 yuan, and the market demand for iridium ore is showing an increasing trend. However, there is a strange phenomenon in the field of iridium, most businessmen do not seem to be enthusiastic about iridium-containing ores, why is this?
The main reason is that the iridium ore composition is complex and difficult to identify, and the iridium content is extremely low, usually only a few parts per ten,000, which significantly increases the difficulty and cost of iridium**. In order to solve this problem, this paper will delve into an iridium metal leaching method for iridium ore powder after enrichment, which can reach several percent enrichment degree, which greatly improves the efficiency and economic value of iridium.
Firstly, through mineralogical analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) technology, the composition of iridium-containing ores was accurately identified, and iridium was effectively distinguished from other minerals. Next, the ore is pre-treated using physical methods such as magnetic separation and gravity separation to remove most of the unwanted minerals and prepare them for subsequent chemical treatment.
The enrichment of iridium was further improved by flotation technology. During flotation, adjusting the pH value and adding specific collectors and foaming agents can significantly increase the ** rate of iridium particles. At this stage, the iridium content in the ore powder can be increased from a few parts per ten thousand to a few percent, which greatly improves the economic benefits of the subsequent purification process.
The enriched ore powder undergoes a chemical leaching process that dissolves iridium using a specific solvent, such as an acidic solution containing chlorine, to convert it from a solid state to a liquid state. In this process, temperature, pressure, and solvent type and concentration are precisely controlled to maximize iridium leaching efficiency. Experimental phenomena show that as the reaction progresses, the color of the solution changes significantly, so that the iridium can be observed to be gradually dissolved.
Iridium was isolated and purified from the leachate using solvent extraction and ion exchange techniques. By these methods, iridium ions are effectively separated from solutions containing multiple metal ions. During the extraction process, a change in color of the extractant can be observed due to the absorption of iridium ions. Subsequently, the iridium ions are converted to the metal iridium by a reduction reaction, at which point a precipitate formation can be seen, marking the formation of a high-purity iridium metal.