Thermochemical conversions of iron(II) sulfate on heating in various gaseous media

The problem of utilization of iron sulfate has recently become acute because no rational methods for utilization of wastes of this type have as yet been found. The purpose of this work was to study conversions of FeSO/sub 4/ in various gaseous media under comparable conditions. Iron(II) sulfate and the products of its decomposition were studied by the methods of x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, and chemical analyses. X-ray phase analysis was carried out by the powder method. It was found that in all the cases studied thermal conversion of FeSO/sub 4/ includes formation of Fe/sub 2/(SO/sub 4/)/sub 3/, and the final product of ..cap alpha..-Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/. Sulfur dioxide shifts decomposition of iron (II) sulfate to higher temperatures and as a result the processes of Fe/sub 2/(SO/sub 4/)/sub 3/ formation and decomposition occur simultaneously.