Ultrasound-Assisted Silver Leaching Process for Cleaner Production

A cleaner separation method is proposed for recycling of Ag from lead–zinc tailings by an ultrasound-assisted leaching process. The pure sodium thiosulfate system was chosen as the leaching agent for Ag recovery via ultrasound irradiation to develop cleaner industrial processes. The effects of the ultrasonic irradiation on the conventional sodium thiosulfate silver leaching process were studied. Models of the leaching kinetics under conventional conditions and ultrasonic conditions were established. This integrated process is highly efficient and environmentally friendly.