Lead and Zinc Extractive Metallurgy
Research in the Kroll Institute
for Extractive Metallurgy
Patrick R. Taylor
Abstract The Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy has performed graduate
research in zinc and lead extractive metallurgy over its history. Presented is an
overview of some of the past and current research on this topic, and this includes
as follows: galena leaching with fluosilicic acid; soda ash reduction of galena; characteristics of sodium-iron-silicate slags; computational fluid dynamic modeling of a
secondary lead reverberatory furnace; vacuum distillation of complex lead bullion;
hydrogen partial reduction of zinc ferrites; and evaluation of zinc process jarosite,
ferrites, and leach precipitates for by-product recovery.
Keywords Extractive metallurgy · Galena leaching · Soda ash reduction · Slags ·
Computational fluid dynamic modeling · Vacuum distillation · Zinc ferrites ·
By-product recovery
Introduction
The Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy (KIEM) was established at the Colorado
School of Mines in 1974 using a bequest from William J. Kroll. Dr. Kroll was the
inventor of the processes for recovering titanium and zirconium metals from their
ores, among other process metallurgy inventions. Over the past 45 years, KIEM
has trained numerous extractive and process metallurgists for work in industry and
academia. Many have gone on to be leaders in industry. The objectives of KIEM are to
provide education, research, and service in extractive metallurgy, mineral processing,
recycling, and waste minimization. The laboratories for research in these fields are
among the best in a university in the USA. This paper discusses some of the current,
recent, and past research performed by graduate students and faculty in our program.
P. R. Taylor (B)
Colorado School of Mines, Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy, Golden, CO 80401, USA
e-mail: prtaylor@mines.edu
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_36
419
Research in the Kroll Institute
for Extractive Metallurgy
Patrick R. Taylor
Abstract The Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy has performed graduate
research in zinc and lead extractive metallurgy over its history. Presented is an
overview of some of the past and current research on this topic, and this includes
as follows: galena leaching with fluosilicic acid; soda ash reduction of galena; characteristics of sodium-iron-silicate slags; computational fluid dynamic modeling of a
secondary lead reverberatory furnace; vacuum distillation of complex lead bullion;
hydrogen partial reduction of zinc ferrites; and evaluation of zinc process jarosite,
ferrites, and leach precipitates for by-product recovery.
Keywords Extractive metallurgy · Galena leaching · Soda ash reduction · Slags ·
Computational fluid dynamic modeling · Vacuum distillation · Zinc ferrites ·
By-product recovery
Introduction
The Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy (KIEM) was established at the Colorado
School of Mines in 1974 using a bequest from William J. Kroll. Dr. Kroll was the
inventor of the processes for recovering titanium and zirconium metals from their
ores, among other process metallurgy inventions. Over the past 45 years, KIEM
has trained numerous extractive and process metallurgists for work in industry and
academia. Many have gone on to be leaders in industry. The objectives of KIEM are to
provide education, research, and service in extractive metallurgy, mineral processing,
recycling, and waste minimization. The laboratories for research in these fields are
among the best in a university in the USA. This paper discusses some of the current,
recent, and past research performed by graduate students and faculty in our program.
P. R. Taylor (B)
Colorado School of Mines, Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy, Golden, CO 80401, USA
e-mail: prtaylor@mines.edu
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_36
419