Chlorination Behaviors of Complex Iron, Copper and Nickel Sulfides

Chlorination and chloridization behaviors of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcocite, covellite, chalcopyrite, bornite, heazlewoodite, millerite, and pentlandite in chlorine, gaseous ferric and sulfur chlorides were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The reaction mechanisms are discussed in terms of theoretical weight changes, thermodynamic calculations, and X-ray analyses of reaction products. The experimental findings are in direct application to the development of a scheme for producing nonferrous metal chlorides, elemental sulfur, and ferric oxide from complex sulfide flotation concentrates.