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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Oxygen-consuming minerals in heap leaching (1 reply)

S
Stephan47
6 years ago
Stephan47 6 years ago

Hi everyone!
I need any information on dealing with a problem of high oxygen comsumption in heap leaching operation due to the presens of oxygen-consuming minerals. Could you please provide me some practical examples or references where I can find clues for solving such an issue?

Thanks a lot!

T
Todd H
6 years ago
Todd H 6 years ago
Like

A couple of questions - how do you know the oxygen is low?

What irrigation system are you using?

You can measure the dissolved oxygen of the barren solution applied to the heap and the pregnant solution to see what you have.  The feed solution can vary a lot depending on what its chemical make up is, what the temperature and altitude is, and the irrigation system.  Here are some ideas:

  1. If you use wobblers instead of drippers you will get more oxygen into the solution.  It will increase evaporation and create more surface impact but can be effective in aerating the solution
  2. You can aerate the preg solution with compressed air to increase the DO. Best to do this in a tank feeding the preg pump as opposed to aerating the whole pond.
  3. You can utilize rest periods in the leach cycle to allow time for oxygen to diffuse into the geap.
  4. You can do test columns and determine the oxygen uptake during the test.  You cap the column and take gaseous oxygen readings over time to monitor the oxygen level decline.  It is best to use a port on the side of the column. 

Todd Harvey - Global Resource Engineering http://www.global-resource-eng.com


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