Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

Hydrometallurgy: Leaching in Heap, Vat, CIL, CIP, Merrill–Crowe, SX Solvent Extraction

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Is Flocculent detrimental to extraction (4 replies)

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

Using clarifier to remove solid particles from PLS before feeding to SX process needs flocculent or not? Isn't flocculent harmful for extracting in extraction stage?

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

Typically in an acid leach system non-ionic flocculants are used in the post leach and CCD thickeners, and this does not have a direct negative effect on the chemistry of the SX organic. Where it probably does have an effect is in crud generation - producing a more viscous crud.

That said our work on clarification shows that adding flocculent to a stream with very low solids has very little effect on the solids and the clarifier operation is generally poor. You will be lucky to get more than 60% TSS removal.

Can you elaborate on your process and where the clarifier fits into the circuit?

Zander Barcalow
8 years ago
Zander Barcalow 8 years ago

To use flocculent in the process is to remove the slimes % in the process to recover the solids. You probably recover above 75% of solids in the process. Thereafter your plant will perform very good and yield recover.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

I prefer using Filter press in PLS making processin this way I sure that there not any suspended solid in the solution. I think that using flocculent increase crud formation.

Helena Russell
8 years ago
Helena Russell 8 years ago

Non-ionic floc's are fairly commonly used during crud events such as a significant rain event; however, use of a clarifier is quite uncommon (you can't afford it at the low percent solids in the feed). I have used a large PLS ponds as a settling basin. Jaime is also correct in the use of pin-bed clarifiers is gaining use - especially in Africa on the agitated leach plants (see TFM). Non-ionic floc's should not affect the SX process unless you go VERY high in concentration. Simple lab tests (break times) should result in appropriate answers.


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