Recovery of rhenium from acidic aqueous solutions by pressure reduction with gaseous reducers

Process of rhenium removal from acidic industrial effluents by pressure reduction with gaseous hydrogen and sulphur dioxide was examined. Solutions from two sources were investigated, namely: circulating wash liquors originated from a wet dedusting of converter gases, and from dedusting of Dörschel furnace gases at a copper smelter. The effects of temperature, sulphuric acid concentration, and addition of an activated charcoal carrier were determined on rhenium recovery. Complete removal of rhenium from the solution has been achieved with both hydrogen and sulphur dioxide and the concentration of rhenium in the resultant concentrate reached 3%. The technological process for recovering rhenium from acidic industrial effluents was suggested.