Optimization of a CFD – Heap leach model and sensitivity analysis of process operation

McBride, D.; Croft, Nick; Cross, M.; Bennett, Christopher R.; Gebhardt, J.E.

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2013.11.010

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Nicol et al [37] studied the voltammetric characteristics of chalcopyrite under various conditions appropriate to low temperature leaching with acidic chloride solutions while Nicol and Basson [38] described the anodic behavior of covellite over a wide range of chloride concentrations at potentials relevant to its dissolution under ambient conditions similar to heap leaching. The other important aspect in column or heap leaching is the solution flowrate [39]. According to Ilankoon and Neethling [40], the way the solution spreads from drippers and the subsequent development of flow paths and any associated channeling needs to be properly investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaching of Primary Copper Sulfide Ore in Chloride-Ferrous Media

2018

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Copper extraction from primary copper sulfide ore from a typical porphyry copper deposit from Antofagasta, Chile, was investigated after leaching with a chloride-ferrous media at two temperatures. The study focused on whether this chemical leaching system could be applied at an industrial scale. Leaching tests were conducted in columns loaded with approximately 50 kg of agglomerated ore; the ore was first cured for 14 days and then leached for 90 days. The highest copper extraction, 50.23%, was achieved at 32.9 °C with the addition of 0.6 kg of H2SO4 per ton of ore, 0.525 kg of NaCl per ton of ore, and 0.5 kg of FeSO4 per ton of ore. In respect to copper extraction, the most effective variables were temperature and the addition of NaCl.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaching of Primary Copper Sulfide Ore in Chloride-Ferrous Media

2018

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“…The reaction kinetics for the gold oxide ore employed in the 'test' heap simulation were obtained by calibration of the model to column test data. Details of the calibration process can be found in McBride et al (2014a). The reaction parameters for the shrinking core reaction (23) and a dummy cyanide consumer is calibrated to match the cyanide consumption due to other oxide minerals such as silver and copper that were not explicitly tracked.…”

Section: Parameterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alternatively, full scale simulations can be performed which directly account for ore and hydrodynamic variations within the heap, and McBride et al (2012aMcBride et al ( , 2012b have applied CFD technology to full scale industrial oxide heaps. However, any predictive model requires careful characterization of the ore (McBride et al, 2014a). Advances in material characterization tools and testing techniques allow detailed characterization of ores for simulation based analysis, based on physics, chemistry and material properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the hydrodynamics of heap leaching in sub-zero temperatures

McBride

Gebhardt²,

Croft

et al. 2016

Minerals Engineering

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Heap leaching involves the application of a leach solution onto stacked low grade ores. Solution percolates through the ore, dissolving metals from various minerals, and is recovered at the base. This process is conceptually a simple one, but quickly becomes complex when considering the sub-processes, such as dissolution chemical reactions, oxidation, precipitation, ore with different leaching characteristics, and multi-lift heaps with dynamically changing irrigation schemes.In addition, changing meteorological conditions, such as heavy rain, evaporation and extreme ambient temperatures have a significant effect on the hydrodynamics. Various factors, such as large variations in ore hydraulic properties, saturated-unsaturated flow, preferential flow pathways, perched water tables, infiltration into dry ore or possible freezing of solution within the heap, can lead to reduced leaching efficiency.This contribution describes the methods employed within a computational fluid dynamics heap leach model to account for freezing climate conditions. Validation of one-dimensional thermal phase change is performed and a theoretical column of coarse and fine ore is partially frozen to illustrate how the preferred flow path can be counter-intuitive. Finally, a three-dimensional heterogeneous gold oxide 'test' heap is simulated assuming non-thermal reactions and sub-zero ambient temperatures. The results demonstrate how recovery can be affected by cold weather changing the hydrodynamics of the heap.

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“…Later, these results were used for the optimization of the irrigation flow rate [37]. McBride et al [21] performed a local sensitivity analysis to validate the computational fluid dynamics model proposed. Local sensitivity analysis had been applied in numerous studies of heap leaching [4,24,31,38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Posteriori Analysis of Analytical Models for Heap Leaching Using Uncertainty and Global Sensitivity Analyses

Mellado¹,

Cisternas

Lucay

et al. 2018

Minerals

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Abstract:The heap leaching of minerals is one of the more commonly used processes in the mining industry. This process has been modeled by many authors. However, the validation, verification, and implementation of these models are difficult since there is uncertainty about the operating conditions and the leaching model parameters. This work uses the uncertainty quantification, based on uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, for studying the model strength against uncertainties in heap leaching. The uncertainty analysis (UA) is used to quantify the effect of the magnitude of the uncertainties of the input variables on the recovery of heap leaching. Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) is used to study the nature of connections between the recovery and input variables of the leaching model. In addition, GSA facilitates the detection of whether a leaching model is over-parameterized. The information obtained allows studying some applications of the kinetic model. The Mellado et al. kinetic model is used as an example. The UA results indicate that the kinetic model can estimate the recovery behavior considering the full range of uncertainties of input variables. The GSA indicates that the kinetic model is over-parameterized on the uncertainties range considered; this conclusion contradicts the results when the local sensitivity analysis is used. However, the model shows a good correlation between the results of GSA and the kinetic behavior of heap leaching. In addition, the kinetic model presents versatility because it allows the determination of operating regions for heap leaching.

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Optimization of a CFD – Heap leach model and sensitivity analysis of process operation

Cited by 14 publications

References 23 publications

Leaching of Primary Copper Sulfide Ore in Chloride-Ferrous Media

Leaching of Primary Copper Sulfide Ore in Chloride-Ferrous Media

Modeling the hydrodynamics of heap leaching in sub-zero temperatures

A Posteriori Analysis of Analytical Models for Heap Leaching Using Uncertainty and Global Sensitivity Analyses

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