Adaptive process for improving leaching efficiency of germanium from secondary zinc oxide

Adaptive process was used to treat germanium-containing secondary zinc oxide. The leaching parameters were determined by batch experiment, and continuous experiment was conducted and the stability of the process was verified. The leaching efficiency of Zn and Ge in the batch experiments were 92.51 and 90.67%, respectively, while the leaching efficiencies of Zn and Ge in the continuous experiment were 93.53 and 88.47%, respectively. In the neutralization process, the Fe3+ concentration in the neutralized solution is within 0.025 g/L. The Fe2+in the leaching solution increased gradually, as the neutralized residue was returned to the leaching process, the Zn in leaching residue reduce and the leaching efficiency of Zn increased. The residue mainly contained zinc sulfide and lead sulfate, with some fluffy structures on the surface. The process is promising for industrial application from indicators, economy, and applicability.