Desenvolvimento de metodologia para a análise de amostras líquidas provenientes do processo de hidrometalurgia do zinco, via espectroscopia de fluorescência de raios-x

Abstract

This work describes the development and validation of an analytical method for determining various elements in liquid samples by X ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy to control an industrial process. The method was optimized in order to eliminate the main expected interferences, and uses a 10-fold dilution combined with the addition of lanthanum as a heavy absorber, to correct inter-element absorption and enhancement effects, enabling the construction of matrix-independent calibration curves. The standards were prepared directly from pure salts and compounds of the analytes, and it was not necessary to do mathematical corrections. The technique proved to be very efficient for the materials studied, and very easy to execute, providing results for seven elements with a measuring time of around three minutes. The monitored process is a hydrometallurgical circuit for the recovery and purification of zinc from a by-product of the production of metallic zinc, which contributes to the circular economy, and increases the availability of zinc in the domestic market, thus strengthening the fertilizer production chain in Brazil.