The sulfidation behavior of zinc during microwave hydrothermal sulfidation of heavy metal-containing sludge

ABSTRACT

The heavy metals present in the sludge can undergo a reaction with sulfur, leading to their conversion into metal sulfides through hydrothermal sulfidation. Sulfur ions, possessing a strong sulfidation capability, can operate within a wider pH range at elevated temperatures. The high temperature environment promotes the sulfidation process of zinc within heavy metal-laden sludge. Increasing the temperature of microwave hydrothermal sulfidation and extending the sulfidation duration for heavy metal-containing sludge can enhance the growth of crystal size in the artificially synthesized zinc sulfide. Zinc sulfide predominantly takes the form of ZnS, which facilitates the subsequent flotation recovery of zinc.

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Changshu Institute of Technology and Changshu Pufa Second Thermal Energy Co. Ltd.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

Junxun Jin, Jia He, and Yi Shen conceived and designed the experiments; the experiments, data analysis, and paper writing were carried out by Junxun Jin, Xinqi Wei, Yi Shen and Yuting Wang; Yong Gao and Qiuyue Sun performed some of the experiments. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Consent for publication

All authors have agreed to publication.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [BK20201054], the Science and Technology Planning Project of Suzhou City [SS202154].

Notes on contributors

Junxun Jin

Junxun Jin is a researcher in the School of Materials Engineering at Changshu Institute of Technology.

Jia He

Jia He is a researcher in the Safety and Environmental Protection Department at Changshu Pufa Second Thermal Energy Co. Ltd.

Xinqi Wei

Xinqi Wei is a research assistant in the School of Materials Engineering at Changshu Institute of Technology.

Yi Shen

Yi Shen is a researcher in the Safety and Environmental Protection Department at Changshu Pufa Second Thermal Energy Co. Ltd.

Yuting Wang

Yuting Wang is a research assistant in the School of Materials Engineering at Changshu Institute of Technology.

Yong Gao

Yong Gao is a research assistant in the School of Materials Engineering at Changshu Institute of Technology.

Qiuyue Sun

Qiuyue Sun is a research assistant in the School of Materials Engineering at Changshu Institute of Technology.