Pressure Acid Leach
With the nickel laterite operations at Murrin Murrin, Cawse and Bulong in Western Australia coming on-stream there has been a growing global demand for advanced hydrometallurgical testwork especially with the treatment of oxide ores using pressure leaching technology.
Batch Autoclave Pressure Acid Leaching
Typically batch autoclave pressure acid leaching (PAL) is used to:
- confirm ore body recoveries
- design operating conditions (pressure, temperature, monitor acid consumption and leach or extraction kinetics)
- effect of grind size on the leach characteristics
- provision of pregnant liquor for batch thickening tests (confirmation of underflow densities from CCD wash circuit)
- provision of pregnant liquor for the determination of the extraction and stripping isotherms and for inter-stage neutralisation impact (lime consumption)
The temperature of the autoclave is of paramount importance as the temperature has a direct impact on the kinetics which in turn govern the residence times necessary within the autoclave. (faster kinetics allowing a higher autoclave through-put or alternatively may open up the possibility of reducing the size of the autoclave.)
AMMTEC and Pressure Acid Leaching
- pressure oxidation
- pressure acid leaching
- PARR 3.8 litre (US 1 gallon)
- 300°C certification
- magnetically agitated
- electrical heating with internal cooling
- titanium construction
Acid addition temperature is flexable and is typically carried out at 25°C below the autoclave leach temperature and intermediate samples are taken through-out the autoclave run to monitor kinetics and metal recoveries. Data is presented in an easily understandable spreadsheet format and includes mass balances. Free acid is routinely monitored towards the end of the autoclave time.