Clustering of protons as the main factor in increasing the activity of leaching solutions at their electrochemical and photochemical processing

¹ Mining Institute FEB RAS, 51 Turgenev st., Khabarovsk, 680000, Russia;
² Transbaikal State University, 672039, Chita, Russia

^* Corresponding author: sekisovag@mail.ru

Abstract

The theoretical substantiation for the proton clustering process during electrochemical and photochemical processing of technological solutions is provided in the paper. This process provides a significant increase in the efficiency of leaching of gold from refractory ores. It was proposed that the chemical processes in aqueous solutions occur not only due to electronic (interelectronic) interactions, but also as a result of proton-electron interactions. The hypothesis is substantiated. Proton-electron interactions play an important role in the destruction and formation of chemical bonds between the solvent and the solute, as well as between dissolved substances. Compounds with a polymer-like structure can be formed during the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of different reagents, containing oxygen dimers (O-O). Hydrated cluster shell of active water molecules is formed around these polymer-like compounds. A metastable region of clustered protons is formed. Water-gas emulsion is formed during electrolysis and irradiatin with UV light. Highly active oxidants such as atomic oxygen, superoxide radical ion, ozone, and hydroxyl radical are synthesized in the gas bubbles. These compounds intensify protonation processes during hydration. The results of experiments on column activation leaching of dispersed gold from large-volume sample of refractory ore from the Pogromnoye deposit prove the validity of the theoretical substantiations.