Abstract: Kinetics of dissolution of silver present in precious metal scraps in HNO3 was studied in temperature range of 26~85℃. Dissolution rate of silver was much faster than that of copper at all temperatures. Effects of particle size, stirring speed, acid concentration and temperature on the rate of dissolving of silver were evaluated. Dissolution rate decreases with particle size and increases with temperature. Dissolving was accelerated with acid concentrations less than 10 mol/L. Concentrations greater than 10 mol/L resulted in slowing down of the dissolution rate. Shrinking core model with internal diffusion equation t/τ=1-3(1-x)2/3+2(1-x) could be used to explain the mechanism of the reaction. Silver extraction resulted in activation energies of 33.95 kJ/mol for Ag-Au0:04-Cu0:10 and 68.87 kJ/mol for Ag-Cu0:23 particles. Inter-diffusion of silver and nitrate ions through the porous region of the insoluble alloying layer was the main resistance to the dissolving process. Results were tangible for applications in recycling of the material from electronic silver-bearing scraps, dental alloys, jewelry, silverware and anodic slime precious metal recovery.

Key words: Silver, Copper, Kinetics, Dissolution, Shrinking core model, Internal diffusion