Solvent extraction of metals from mineral leach solutions: challenges and opportunities
Date
2016
Authors
Priest, C.
Kriel, F.H.
Ralston, J.
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Conference paper
Citation
IMPC 2016 proceedings, 2016, vol.2016-September, pp.6130-6137
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IMPC 2016: XXVIII International Mineral Processing Congress (11 Sep 2016 - 15 Sep 2016 : Quebec, Canada)
Abstract
Stream-based microfluidic solvent extraction offers a novel alternative to bulk-scale mixer-settler operations. However present maximum throughputs are restrictive and there are engineering challenges that need to be overcome before the technology is robust. This is especially the case for mineral processing, where circuits must be able to handle variable feed streams with long retention times and where maintenance should be minimized. This paper highlights research directed at investigating and evaluating these challenges for actual mineral leach solutions of metal ions. Molecular and particulate channel fouling is discussed. Most extraction systems studied to date show no effects that would preclude use of the technology. For rare earth elements (REE) with fast extraction rates, scale-up of volumetric throughput to 100 L/h using suitable arrays of channels, microfluidic chips and modules is shown to be achievable using a small contactor (approx. 2 m<sup>3</sup>) platform. This requires only 2–3 % of the typical aqueous phase inventory and residence time used in an equivalent mixer-settler. For a circuit with 100 contactors, the overall residence time would be less than 1 h, using an aqueous inventory of 40 L.
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Copyright 2016 The authors