Effect of Temperature on Hydrometallurgical Reductive-Leaching of Zinc Cakes

This paper investigates the technology of processing zinc cakes generated during zinc production by hydrometallurgical reductive-selective leaching. The effect of temperature on the leaching process was studied, and optimal technological conditions were determined. Sulfuric acid was used as the leaching agent, while hydrazine sulfate served as the reducing agent. According to laboratory experiments, the degree of zinc dissolution into the solution was analyzed within the temperature range of 25–55 °C, reaching a maximum of 94–98% at 55 °C. The dissolution degree of iron ranged from 13% to 24%, confirming the high selectivity of the process. Based on the obtained results, the optimal temperature for zinc cake processing was determined to be within 45–55 °C. The findings have practical significance for the cost-effective recycling of zinc production waste and for reducing metal losses during processing