Kinetic Model for Dissolution of Cement Copper in Sulfuric Acid Solutions Containing Cupric Ions

Abstract

In this paper, the dissolution kinetics of cement copper powder in sulfuric acid solutions containing cupric ions was examined. It was observed that the dissolution rate of copper increased with increasing the acid concentration, temperature, and stirring speed. It was determined that the dissolution rate of copper enhanced with increasing the cupric ion concentration up to 0.025 M. It was found that the temperature and concentration of cupric ion had more considerable effects on the dissolution of copper powder. The kinetic analysis of the process was performed, and it was observed that it fits the first order pseudo-homogenous reaction model. The activation energy was calculated to be 31.1 kJ/mol.