Recovery of Lead from Copper Anode Slime and Study of Kinetics of Lead Dissolution

In this study, an effective method of recovering metallic lead from copper anode slime is investigated. A method of leaching with nitric acid at atmospheric pressure is also proposed, and the effect of various factors on the leaching effect isstudied. The kinetics of leaching is studied, and a model of the leaching process is established. Copper anode slime residues, rich in valuable metals, provide one of the critical resources for recycling metals in favourable conditions. A green acid leaching process for lead (Pb) enrichment from copper (Cu) anode slime is developed in this study. Under ideal conditions, HNO₃ successfully leached 72% Pb in 2 h. The optimum leaching conditions are the stirring speed of 1000 rpm, the temperature of 90 °C, the HNO₃ concentration of 4 M, and the solution-to-anode slime ratio of 10:1. The kinetics of lead leaching from anode slime is developed according to the phase composition and shape of the leaching residue and raw material. The modified grain model is considered for this purpose. MATLAB is used to solve the model in isothermal mode by using the orthogonal collocation method. The results are good compatibility with experimental data. The activation energy is calculated using the parameters derived from the modified tablet-grain model based on the test conditions. Therefore, the lead recovery under the proposed process has a promising potential for treating Cu anode slime.