Kinetic of copper-sulfate pentahydrate production from scrap copper

• Alfredo Varela Universidad de Carabobo-Venezuela
• Alexandra Arias Universidad de Carabobo-Venezuela
• Yelitza Reyes Universidad de Carabobo-Venezuela

Palabras clave: copper sulfate, sulfuric acid, reaction kinetics, three-phase reactor

Resumen

The industrial production of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O), from scrap copper and airy sulfuric acid, requires knowledge of the reaction kinetics for analysis and development. The experimental work was intended to determine the effects of different conditions (temperature, pressure, and airflow rate) on the conversion of sulfuric acid with time. A 4-liters stainless steel cylinder reactor was fabricated for this purpose. The feed was scrap copper, a 1.35 M sulfuric acid solution, and airflow supplied at the bottom of the reactor. Sample analysis by titration during the experimental trials allowed the determination of the reaction course until the liquid solution is about 2% weight sulfuric acid. Results suggest that the process is controlled by dilution of oxygen from the air bubble/liquid interphase to the liquid solution. For the experimental conditions used in this work, the recommended model kinetics is , where ag is the gas bubble/liquid interfacial area per unit volume of liquid free of bubbles, kL the oxygen mass transfer coefficient, and H is the Henry constant. Values of agkL increase with airflow rate due to the increase in ag.