Low-Energy Hydrometallurgical Equipment Crude Antimony Purification Electrolytic Equipment¹

Product Description Antimony, an important strategic metal, is widely used in numerous fields. The production of antimony ore and antimony trioxide powder requires multiple complex and specialized processes.Antimony ore, primarily composed of stibnite (Sb2S3), undergoes high-temperature desulfurization in a rotary kiln. The ore is then roasted at 800-1000°C with limited air flow. The sulfur is oxidized to SO2 gas, which escapes, resulting in antimony oxide powder rich in antimony oxide. This step separates the antimony and sulfur, paving the way for subsequent metal reduction.The desulfurized antimony ore powder then enters a high-temperature reduction smelting stage. Reducing agents are added to the rotary kiln, and at temperatures of approximately 1200°C, the antimony oxide is reduced, ultimately producing crude antimony. Because crude antimony contains impurities, it is melted and cast into antimony anode plates for the electrolytic refining stage. In the electrolytic cell, the antimony anode plates serve as anodes, and electrolysis proceeds under current flow in a specific electrolyte system. During this process, antimony from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte, while elements such as silver and gold remain in the anode mud. Notably, valuable elements such as silver and gold can be further recovered from the anode mud. Simultaneously, high-purity antimony precipitates at the cathode, forming cathode antimony. This cathode antimony then undergoes another smelting and casting process, ultimately producing a high-purity antimony ingot.To produce the key product, Sb2O3 powder, the high-purity antimony ingot undergoes remelting and high-temperature evaporation oxidation. The antimony ingot is melted in a specialized oxidation furnace (~1000°C). The molten antimony is violently volatilized and oxidized in a high-temperature, strongly oxidizing atmosphere (air or oxygen-enriched air). The resulting gaseous Sb2O3 is rapidly condensed in a quenching zone (such as a bag filter) into fine cubic Sb2O3 powder. This process requires precise control of temperature, atmosphere, and condensation rate to produce a flame-retardant product with uniform particle size, high whiteness, and excellent reactivity. The entire preparation process places extremely stringent demands on process parameters, from temperature control during pyrometallurgy to current and voltage regulation during electrolytic refining, and finally to optimizing reaction conditions for high-temperature evaporation and oxidation. Each step impacts the quality and purity of the final product. Only by precisely controlling each step can we produce antimony trioxide powder that meets the high standards required by industries such as electronics, chemicals, and flame retardant materials.

OK ! We suggest you detail your product requirements and company information here.
Enter between 20 to 4,000 characters.
Your inquiry content must be between 20 to 4000 characters.