Evaluation of Lead Yield Based on Ferric Nitrate Concentration and Reaction Time during Leaching of Galena in the Nitrate Solution

This paper presents an evaluation of lead yield during processing of galena in ferric nitrate solution based on the input parameters such as ferric nitrate concentration and reaction time. The analysis was carried out using an empirical model derived from experimental results. The validity of the model was rooted on two correspondingly approximately equal quantities. Statistical analysis of the lead yield for each value of the input ferric nitrate concentration as obtained from experiment and derived model-predicted results show standard errors 0.2051 and 1.2167 x 10-8 % respectively. Result evaluations indicate that lead yield per unit ferric nitrate concentration as obtained from experiment and derived model-predicted results were 11.25 and 11.0 ppm/M respectively. The maximum deviation of the model-predicted lead yield (from experimental results) was of less than 9%. This implies a derived model confidence level above 91% as well as over 0.91 response coefficients for lead yield dependence on the ferric nitrate concentration and reaction time.