What is the development trend of precious metal refining technology in the future?

Precious metal refining technology has many development trends in the future. With the continuous advancement of science and technology and the increasing requirements for environmental protection, precious metal refining technology is developing in a more efficient, green and intelligent direction.

1. Comprehensive utilization of complex polymetallic symbiotic ores
   my country is the world’s largest antimony producer, but due to the rapid consumption of antimony resources, antimony production has shifted from mainly stibnite to mainly processing antimony-containing complex polymetallic symbiotic ores. At present, the widely used pyrometallurgical antimony smelting process in my country is not ideal for processing antimony-containing complex polymetallic symbiotic ores. The hydrometallurgical antimony smelting process suitable for processing antimony-containing complex polymetallic symbiotic ores will be an important direction for the development of antimony production. This also implies that in precious metal refining, the comprehensive utilization of complex polymetallic symbiotic ores will become an important trend. In the future, more technologies may be invested in the efficient extraction of precious metals from complex polymetallic symbiotic ores to maximize the utilization of resources.
2. Green and environmentally friendly refining process
   Application of low-concentration and clean reagents
   In the study of the green recovery process and mechanism of rare and precious metals in the anode mud of scrap copper refining, the overall idea of ​​green and efficient recovery of precious metals in copper anode mud based on the introduction of low-concentration and clean reagents was proposed. This method emphasizes process cleanliness, resource recycling and final product resource utilization, and provides a direction for the green development of precious metal refining process. In the future, more low-concentration and clean reagents will be used in precious metal refining to reduce environmental pollution.
   Reducing the use of toxic and harmful substances
   In traditional precious metal refining processes, some toxic and harmful substances such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid are often used. These substances will produce a large amount of wastewater, waste gas and waste residue during use, causing serious pollution to the environment. In the future, precious metal refining processes will pay more attention to reducing the use of toxic and harmful substances and adopt more environmentally friendly processes and reagents. For example, new green technologies such as bioleaching and ionic liquids can be used to achieve efficient extraction of precious metals.
3. Application of combined refining process
   Complementary advantages of different processes
   Alkaline pyro-refining process is suitable for processing crude antimony produced by pyro-refining process, aqueous solution electrolytic refining process and vacuum distillation refining process are suitable for processing crude antimony containing precious metals, molten salt electrolytic refining process can be used for high-purity antimony production, and combined refining process is used for refining of difficult-to-process crude antimony. The combined refining process can give full play to the advantages of different processes and realize efficient refining of different types of precious metal raw materials. In the future, the combined refining process will be more widely used in precious metal refining, and the recovery rate and purity of precious metals will be improved through the combination of different processes.
   Improve refining efficiency and quality
   The combined refining process can improve the refining efficiency and quality of precious metals by optimizing process parameters and processes. For example, pyro-refining can be used first to remove most impurities, and then wet refining can be used to further improve the purity of precious metals. At the same time, the combined refining process can also improve production efficiency and stability through automated control and intelligent management.
4. Development of vacuum distillation refining process
   Treatment of crude antimony containing precious metals
   The aqueous solution electrolytic refining process and vacuum distillation refining process are suitable for treating crude antimony containing precious metals. The vacuum distillation refining process has the advantages of simple operation, no pollution, and high recovery rate, and will play an important role in the future refining of precious metals. With the continuous advancement of technology, the equipment and process of vacuum distillation refining process will be continuously optimized to improve its processing capacity and efficiency.
   Used in conjunction with other processes
   The traditional alkaline fire refining process should focus on the development of multi-purpose and efficient composite impurity removers, and a new direction for crude antimony refining using vacuum distillation refining process and alkaline fire refining process is proposed. This combination can give full play to the advantages of the two processes and improve the refining effect of crude antimony. In the future, the vacuum distillation refining process will be used in conjunction with more processes to achieve efficient and green refining of precious metals.
5. Application of intelligent and automated technologies
   Improve production efficiency and stability
   With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the application of intelligent and automated technologies in precious metal refining will become more and more extensive. Through the automated control system, precise control of the production process can be achieved to improve production efficiency and stability. At the same time, intelligent technology can also monitor and analyze data in the production process in real time, discover problems in time and make adjustments to ensure the smooth progress of production.
   Reduce labor costs and labor intensity
   The application of intelligent and automated technologies can reduce manual operations, reduce labor costs and labor intensity. At the same time, it can also improve production safety and reduce accidents. In the future, precious metal refining companies will pay more attention to the application of intelligent and automated technologies to improve the competitiveness of enterprises.
   In summary, the development trend of precious metal refining technology in the future will be the comprehensive utilization of complex multi-metallic symbiotic ores, green environmental protection, the application of combined refining processes, the development of vacuum distillation refining processes, and the application of intelligent and automated technologies. These trends will promote the development of precious metal refining processes in a more efficient, green and intelligent direction, and provide strong support for the sustainable development of the precious metal industry.