Nitric Acid → Zinc Nitrate

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Stating it broadly, the hydrometallurgical process for producing zinc oxide comprises, contacting a zinc solution with a water-insoluble organic solvent selective to the extraction of zinc and thereby produce a zinc-loaded organic solvent. The zinc is stripped from the zinc-loaded organic solvent with a solution of nitric acid to form a solution of zinc nitrate, following which the zinc nitrate solution is subjected to thermal hydrolysis at an elevated temperature in the presence of pressurized water vapor, the temperature selected being at least sufficient to decompose zinc nitrate to zinc oxide, the zinc oxide being thereafter recovered, such as by filtration.

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