Volatilization behavior of lead, zinc and sulfur from flotation products of low-grade Pb-Zn oxide ore by carbothermic reduction

Existing methods are difficult to directly treat the tailings of Lanping Pb-Zn deposit because of low Pb + Zn content. According to the characteristics of high CaO content (11%) in the flotation products of Lanping low-grade Pb-Zn oxide ore, a carbon thermal reduction method based on rotary hearth furnace (RHF) process was developed. When reaction temperature was above 1000 °C, CaO could realize the transformation of metal sulfides to oxides. Increasing reducing atmosphere was favor of the efficient volatilization of Zn and Pb and the trapping of S. The volatiles in reducing agents could promote the volatilization of zinc. The reduction effect of anthracite and thermal coal was better than that of charcoal. The volatilization rates of Zn and Pb exceeded 98% and 96%, respectively, under the conditions of 1250 °C, 30 min, 20% thermal coal addition and air atmosphere. High quality ZnO dust with a ZnO purity of 83% was obtained.