METHOD OF PROCESSING BERYLLIUM CONCENTRATES Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC C01F3/00 C01F3/02 

FIELD: mining industry and inorganic synthesis.

SUBSTANCE: invention is intended for use in processing of low-grade mixture of beryllium concentrates to produce solution of beryllium sulfate and beryllium hydroxide. Processing comprises activation of concentrates, sulfatization of activated concentrates with sulfuric acid, water leaching of sulfatized product, separation of leaching pulp into cake and sulfate solution, first water washing of cake to remove sulfate solution, separation of washing pulp into cake and first washing solution, second water washing of cake to remove sulfate solution, separation of washing pulp into cake and second washing solution, leaching involving closed sulfate solution circuit and partial recycle of the first washing solution to leaching that results in concentration of beryllium in sulfate solution. According to invention, leaching, first and second washings are performed under countercurrent conditions with closed circuits of sulfate solution, first and second washing solutions in leaching, first and second washing steps, respectively, to achieve concentration of beryllium in sulfate solution 12.65-13.86 g/L.

EFFECT: reduced expenses on processing of sulfate solution, lowered levels of silicon and calcium in beryllium hydroxide, and reduced discharge of environmentally harmful mother liquor from beryllium hydroxide precipitate step.

2 dwg, 2 tbl