What are the environmental advantages of using sulfuric acid and ferric sulfate over nitric acid in the leaching process?

Label:chem

Topic
The study highlights the environmental drawbacks of using nitric acid, which generates toxic wastewater and greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), contributing to global warming.
Answer
The use of sulfuric acid and ferric sulfate offers several environmental advantages over nitric acid. Sulfuric acid is less volatile, avoiding toxic NOx fumes, and is compatible with common, low-cost corrosion-resistant materials. Ferric sulfate serves as an effective oxidizing agent, allowing for the dissolution of silver and copper under milder conditions. This system also eliminates harmful NOx emissions and can operate at room temperature, reducing operational costs and enhancing worker safety.
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