Abstract

A process for the manufacture of ferric sulphate from ferrous sulphate in a closed circuit or vessel comprising a liquid phase and a vapor phase, the process comprising the oxidation between about 70° C. to about 150° C. of Fe++ →Fe+++ under pressure utilizing oxygen in the closed circuit or vessel using (NOx) as a catalyst where x is a number between 1 and 2 inclusive of 1 and 2, {NOx being a mixture of NO and NO2 } and wherein the process comprises the following reactions:1) NO+1/2O 2 →NO2, and2) 2FeSO4 +H2 SO4 +NO2 →Fe2 (SO4)3 +H2 O+NO, and wherein the oxidation of Fe++ is affected by spraying the reacting solution (taken for example from the bottom of the vessel or closed circuit containing the reacting solution) through a reacting cloud in the vapor phase comprising NO, NO2 and O2 enclosed in the vapor space of the closed circuit of vessel.The process of manufacture is also applicable for the manufacture of hydroxylated ferric sulphate compounds of the formula ##EQU1## where n is any integer greater than, or equal to, two (2) and y is any integer which is equal to, or greater than, zero (0) and less than 3n. Examples are Ferric Sulphate[where y is 0 and n is 2],Fe5 (SO4)7 OH [where y is 1, and n is 5]Fe6 (SO4)8 (OH)2 [where y is 2 and n is 6]Fe7 (SO4)10 (OH) [where y is 1 and n is 7].