A Process for Recovery of Lead From Zinc Plant Residue

Production of lead from zinc plant residue

Lead is used for making lead acid batteries, rolled extrusion, ammunition, cable sheathing, soldering, etc.

• The washing of residue as a part of pre-treatment step dissolves part of zinc and copper, which can be recovered by recycling the liquor in to the main leaching stream from where the lead containing residue is generated.
• The remaining acid in the washing stage can be reutilised during original raw material leaching
• The lead recovery from the washed residue using sodium chloride is a very cheaper option for lead dissolution.
• The process operates at very low temperature and low acid concentration, and therefore special material of construction is not required.
• Due to higher molecular weight lead the iron requirement by weight for cementation is much less.
• The process requires much less capital investment and can be operational in medium and small scale.
• The process is much easier and involves lesser number of steps.