Enhancement in Iron Removal from Raffinate in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex Leaching Process: A Case Study

Abstract

Iron concentration increasing in raffinate of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex leaching unit is a significant problem that it must be controlled. The sedimentary technique is a general method for controlling concentration of iron. This technique is based on the pH changing with addition of calcium carbonate to acidic wastewater for increasing the pH of solution; so, the iron ion precipitated and removed as iron hydroxide. In this study, it is found that the addition of water to acidic wastewater before adding calcium carbonate not only decreases the iron concentration but also gave reproducible results for the removing of iron ion from raffinate.