Wastewater, zinc sulfate electrolytic, acid (EC 273-723-4)
Zinc Substances > Zinc UVCBs

 Substance Identity Profile (SIP)

1. Name and other identifiers of the substance:

The substance Wastewater, zinc sulfate electrolytic, acid is a UVCB (origin: inorganic).

Substance identity:
EC number: 273-723-4
EC name: Wastewater, zinc sulfate electrolytic, acid
CAS number (EC inventory): 69012-24-4
IUPAC name: Electrolytic solution from electrolysis of zinc sulfate consisting primarily of zinc and manganese sulfate and possibly sulfuric acid
Description: During the hydrometallurgical production of zinc, the leachate undergoes several steps of refining and electrolysis; a part of the circulating solution can be extracted and isolated for further processing in other production units of Zinc metal or Zinc compounds
Molecular formula:  n.a.
Molecular weight range:  n.a.
Physical state: aqueous solution at 20°C, 1013 hPa

2. Source, process and conclusion

Source Zinc sulphate solution, consisting primarily of zinc.
Process Hydrometallurgical processes of leaching and electrolysis: the Zinc sulphate solution is, subsequently to the leaching steps, refined and transferred to the electrolysis cell-house through especially designed transfer launders.  When needed, the Zinc Sulphate solution can be bled either just before or after the electrolysis cellhouse. The transfer of the bled Intermediate solution occurs in appropriate containers or ADR-trucks, according to applicable regulation. It is typically used in production units of Zinc metal or Zinc compounds. The Zinc Sulphate solution is unloaded, potentially blended with other material streams and loaded in vessels for further use, reaction and final production of Zinc metal or Zinc compounds.
Conclusion During the hydrometallurgical production of zinc, the leachate undergoes several steps of refining and electrolysis , to be further  extracted and isolated for further processing in other production units of Zinc metal or Zinc compounds. Depending on the zinc solution used as raw material, the Zn/ZnSO4 and relative extraction in the wastewater can vary, without affecting the identification of Zn as the decisive constituent in the  Wastewater, zinc sulfate electrolytic, acid intermediate. 

3. Composition of the substance

Wastewater, zinc sulfate electrolytic, acid has 2 composition ranges and will thus have also 2 classifications.
- A typical, purified zinc solution composition, and
- a spent electrolyte boundary composition, which represents the worst case.
The boundary composition is detailed here below.

Elemental composition/spent electrolyte - boundary:

Core 

min (% w/w)  max (% w/w) Typical (%w/w)

Zn

2

10

4
S 20 35 21,8
H2SO4 5 15 10
Mg 0,5 6 5,4
Na 0,1 2 0,5
Mn 0.1 1.5 0.77
Cd 0 0.25 0.01
Cu 0 0.4 0.01

Mineralogical composition/spent electrolyte - boundary:

Core min (% w/w)  max (% w/w) Typical (%w/w)
ZnSO4 4 15 9.88
MgSO4 2.48 29.7 5.4
MnSO4 0,27 4,12 2,12
NaSO4 0,31  6,16 1,54
CdSO4 0.001

0.5

0.02
CuSO4 0.001 1.2 0.03
H2SO4 30 40 35.4
H2O 20 30 24.28

4. Classification

The classification is always based on the worst case. For the generic grade Wastewater, zinc sulfate electrolytic, acid, this corresponds to:  
Acute toxicity - oral Acute oral 4
Skin Irritation/corrosion Skin corr. 1A
Eye Irritation/corrosion Eye damage 1
Germ cell mutagenicity Muta. 1B
Carcinogenicity Carc. 1B
Reprotoxicity Repr. 1B
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated: STOT RE 2
Hazards to the aquatic environment (acute/short-term): Aquatic Acute 1
Hazards to the aquatic environment (long-term): Aquatic Chronic 1