Chemical enrichment of precious metals in iron sulfides using microwave energy
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2-20-2013
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Magnetic iron sulfide ore particles heat rapidly by microwave (MW) irradiation generating plasma during oxidation of surfaces. The high temperatures produced by the exothermic event decompose local portions of samples forming a differentiated flux of partially melted silicate (si-mt) with entrained metal-sulfide (sul-mt) droplets. The si-mt forms crystals of olivine (Ol) in Ca-rich pyroxene (Cpx) melt that resorbs a portion of iron sulfide (Po). The immiscible sul-mt droplets of (Fe,Ni,Cu)1-xS contain magnetic subsolidus Ni-pyrrhotite (Ni-Po) with Cr-bearing ferrospinel (Mag). Sub-micron sized flecks of Au are found on the surface of a sul-mt droplet with scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Publication Title
TMS Annual Meeting
ISBN
9781118605691
Recommended Citation
Andriese, M.,
Hwang, J.,
Peng, Z.,
&
Li, B.
(2013).
Chemical enrichment of precious metals in iron sulfides using microwave energy.
TMS Annual Meeting, 623-629.
http://doi.org/10.1002/9781118663448.ch75
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/3409