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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Online measurement of organic entrainment in copper solvent extraction (1 reply)

R
Fabian Rebolledo
7 years ago
Fabian Rebolledo 7 years ago

i would like to know if someone knows about technologies that can measure the organic entrainment in copper solvent extraction without lab tests.

David
7 years ago
David 7 years ago
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Typically two ways, most common is a dairy centrifuge tester see link of typical unit;

https://www.indiamart.com/dairy-instruments/#

Also used in a Horiba IR tester that uses infrared and special solutions, see link;

http://www.austscientific.com.au/product/solvent-solvent-reclaimer/

You want to know without lab tests? Organic is 90-98% diesel or fuel oil called diluent and 2-10% extractant. The organic level in the SX plant is maintained by monitoring the level in the organic tank and adding diluent/extractant to maintain. The depth of the organic in the settlers is also monitored by dipping a tube in (like sludge judge) to maintain level in the settlers but addition is made to keep level in organic storage tanks.

Typically the SX junior metallurgists does the accounting each month to see how much was added and calculates the losses ($$) as entrainment to raffinate. This is actually the biggest unit cost for SX as the power/labor is minimal. To give perspective; the leaching may be $0.80 per pound of copper (80% acid), SX $0.04/lb (50% reagent) and EW $0.16/lb (80% power).

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