Activity Calculation and Vacuum Separation Theoretical Research concerning Ag–Cu, Ag–Sb and Cu–Sb Binary Alloys

Abstract

The Ag–Cu–Sb system is a key component of lead anode slime and boasts an exceptionally high economic recovery value. In this work, six models, including the Molecular Interaction Volume Model (MIVM), Modified Molecular Interaction Volume Model (M-MIVM), Wilson equation, Miedema model, Regular Solution Model (RSE) and Sub-Regular Solution Model (SRSE), are used to calculate the predicted values of the activity and its deviations with experimental data for binary alloys in the Ag–Cu–Sb system for the first time. The result reveals that the overall means of the average relative deviation and average standard deviation of the M-MIVM are 0.01501 and 3.97278%, respectively, which are about two to six times smaller than those of the other five models, indicating the stability and reliability of the M-MIVM. In the meantime, the predicted data of the Cu–Ag binary alloy at 1423 K, Sb–Ag binary alloy at 1250 K and Sb–Cu binary alloy at 1375 K calculated from the M-MIVM are more reliable and pass the Herington test. Then, the separation coefficient–composition (β–x), temperature–composition (T–x–y) and pressure–composition (P–x–y) of the Cu–Ag, Sb–Ag and Sb–Cu binary alloys are plotted based on the M-MIVM and vacuum theories, showing that the Cu–Ag binary alloy is relatively difficult to separate and that high temperatures or high copper contents are detrimental to obtaining high-purity silver. Meanwhile, theoretical data of the T–x–y diagram are consistent with the available experimental data. These results can guide vacuum separation experiments and industrial production concerning Ag–Cu, Ag–Sb and Cu–Sb binary alloys.