Separation and Extraction of Bismuth and Manganese from Roasted Low-Grade Bismuthinite and Pyrolusite: Thermodynamic Analysis and Sulfur Fixing

A new environmentally friendly technology with higher recovery of bismuth is proposed to extract bismuth from low-grade bismuthinite and co-production MnSO4 from low-grade pyrolusite. The effects of simultaneous roasting process parameters on the sulfur-fixing rate and MnSO4 formation rate are investigated. Based on the Pourbaix diagram of metal-sulfur-oxygen system, the behavior of bismuth, manganese, and associated metal elements such ferrous, copper, lead, and sulfur in the bismuthinite and pyrolusite during roasting process is analyzed. The experimental results show that Bi in the ores can be converted into bismuth oxide or oxygen bismuth sulfate, and most of Mn in the ores can react with SO2 from bismuthinite to form MnSO4, which agree with thermodynamic analysis. A maximum of sulfur-fixing rate of 98.14% and MnSO4 formation rate of 70.2% are obtained under the conditions of 1.4 for the molar ratio of MnO2 to total sulfur in mixing ores of bismuthinite and pyrolusite (n(MnO2)/n(S)), 923 K for the roasting temperature, 2 h for roasting time, 140 L/h for air rate, and less than 74 μm for particle size. The ultimate recovery rate of bismuth reaches 96.25% by selective leaching of the roasted product, purification of leaching solution, and hydrolysis, which is higher than the current applied technology for the low-grade bismuthinite.