Sulphur can be extracted from pyrite (FeS2) primarily through thermal decomposition and roasting methods.
One common method involves heating finely divided pyrite concentrate in a controlled environment at high temperatures, causing it to decompose into iron sulfide (FeS) and elemental sulphur vapors.
These sulphur vapors are then condensed and collected as elemental sulphur while the iron sulfide residue is processed separately(Baldur & Bruno, 1967).
Another widely used process is two-stage roasting, where pyrite concentrates are roasted in the presence of air to convert sulphur into sulfur dioxide gas (SO2). This gas can then be processed to produce sulphuric acid or recovered as elemental sulphur.
The process involves careful control of temperature and airflow to optimize sulphur removal and produce clean gases with minimal pollutants.
In conclusion, sulphur can effectively be obtained from pyrite using conventional pyrometallurgical and chemical methods. These processes are essential for managing sulphur emissions from sulfide ores, often resulting in the production of elemental sulphur or, more commonly, sulfuric acid(Chepushtanova & Luganov, 2007).
Pyrite, or “Fool’s Gold,” is often seen as a waste product, but it’s a valuable source of sulfur! How is this chemical element effectively extracted from the mineral, and what important industrial products result from the process? Share your insights!
Reference:
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Baldur, B. P., & Bruno, H. J. (1967). Method for obtaining elemental sulphur from pyrite or pyrite concentrates (United States Patent No. US3306708A). https://patents.google.com/patent/US3306708A/en
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Chepushtanova, T. A., & Luganov, V. A. (2007). Processing of the Pyrite Concentrates to Generate Sulfurous Anhydride for Sulfuric Acid Production. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 06(02), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.2007.62008
