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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POX Oxidation of refractory gold ore (1 reply)

m
mokhtaraazami
6 years ago
mokhtaraazami 6 years ago

Hi

as you know one of the method for treatment of refractory gold ore is POX.

could you please explain about the limitation of S content in the concentrate? because I found in a Chinese text that the maximum content of S in the sulfide concentrate not be more than 10%. if it is true, please tell me what is the reason?

thanks for your help   

T
Todd H
6 years ago
Todd H 6 years ago
Like
1 like by David

The limitation on sulfur is due to several variables - 1) oxygen demand - how much oxygen can you deliver to the autoclave and 2) how much heat is generated.  In order to oxidize the sulfides you must add oxygen and the amount of oxygen required to oxidize high S= concentrates is large and difficult to add and disperse adequately.   The heat is the main issue as the sulfide oxidation is exothermic and the autoclave temp has to be controlled trough the addition of cooling water.  However, 10% S= is not the limit, it depends on the design.  There are several processes that have used POX for concentrates in excess of 10% S=,  The Sherritt zinc process treats sphalerite conc with higher sulfides,  Goldcorp has an autoclave for gold sulfide conc (it makes use of an oxidized conc recycle to dilute the feed S=).  High sulfide can be treated if the autoclave is designed correctly - adequate oxygen diffusion, and a cooling system.  Keep in mind that cooling water consumes AC volume and results in a dilute slurry and lower retention time.

Keep in mind that it is not the S= concentration that is the critical number more the total tonnage of sulfide delivered to the AC.   

Regards

Todd

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


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