Influence of binder formulation on batch agglomeration behaviour and granule properties of lateritic ores
Date
2012
Authors
Nosrati, A.
Quaicoe, I.
Addai Mensah, J.
Skinner, W.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Chemeca 2012 proceedings: quality of life through chemical engineering, 2012, pp.1490]-1499
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Chemeca 2012: Annual Conference of Australian and New Zealand Engineers (23 Sep 2012 - 26 Sep 2012 : Wellington, New Zealand)
Abstract
Heap slump, fines migration and poor solution distribution are amongst the major challenges that afflict heap leaching process by preventing optimum leach solution flow through the bed, and hence, reducing valuable metals' recovery. Such challenges may be overcome by mixing the crushed or finely ground ore with an appropriate binder (e.g., leaching solution) and agglomerating into coarse and robust granules prior to heap leaching. Physicochemical interactions between the ore particles and liquid binder play a pivotal role in controlling the agglomeration behaviour and defining the granule attributes. Both the physical (e.g., particle size, binder viscosity) and chemical (e.g., ore mineralogy, binder acidity) properties of the ore and the binder strongly influence their interactions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of binder composition on agglomeration behaviour and granule attributes of mixed oxide (hematite and quartz) and clay (kaolinite and smectite) minerals which constitute predominant host gangue mineral phases of a typical goethitic nickel (Ni) laterite ore. Batch agglomeration tests involving tap water, 30 and 44% w/w sulphuric acid solution as a binder clearly showed binder formulation dependent agglomeration behaviour, granule compressive strength and stability. Increasing the binder acidity dramatically slowed down the particle wetting, nucleation and granule growth processes. However, using binder solution with moderate acidity (30% H2SO4) led to production of agglomerates with higher strength and stability, compared with those produced with tap water or 44% H2SO4. The implications of the findings to improve real Ni laterite ores' agglomeration behaviour and granule attributed for enhanced heap leaching are discussed.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2012 Engineers Australia