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Bioleaching Process Control

a technology of bioleaching and process control, applied in the direction of process efficiency improvement, etc., can solve the problems of substantial operating cost, electric power consumed in air or oxygen compression, and delivered to a reactor, and the energy requirement for dispersing the gas in the reactor

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-07-24
BHP BILLITON
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In these operations the electrical power consumed in the compression of air or oxygen, delivered to a reactor, and the energy requirement for dispersing the gas in the reactor, represent a substantial operating cost.

Method used

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  • Bioleaching Process Control
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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0024]FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings is a block diagram representation of a plant 10 in which a stirred tank bioleaching sulphide oxidation process is carried out in accordance with the principles of the invention.

[0025]The plant includes a series of stirred tank reactors although only one tank, designated 12, is shown in FIG. 5. The tank includes an agitator or impeller 14 (these terms are used interchangeably in this specification) which is driven by means of an electrical motor 16, using techniques which are known in the art. Electrical energy is supplied from a source 18 to the motor.

[0026]A gas source 20 is used to introduce sparging gas into diffusers or similar emission devices 22 at a lower end of the tank 12. The gas which is introduced may be air, oxygen enriched air or substantially pure oxygen. The source 20 may include one or more compressors, air pumps or the like. Conventional devices may be used in this respect. The rate at which gas is supplied by the source to...

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Abstract

A process of bioleaching a sulphide mineral slurry in a reactor which is controlled by varying the rate of supply of sparging gas to the reactor, and the energy supplied to a motor-driven agitator in the reactor, in response to the measured or inferred oxygen demand of the slurry.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority to PCT application PCT / ZA2006 / 000108 filed Sep. 15, 2006, published in English on ______ and to South African application no. 2005 / 07453 filed Sep. 15, 2005, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the control of gases in a heap or dump leaching process, particularly in a bioleaching process.[0003]This invention relates generally to a bioleaching process and more particularly is concerned with controlling this type of process, when implemented in a stirred tank reactor, to reduce energy consumption.[0004]Bioleaching in stirred tank reactors is used to oxidise refractory sulphidic gold concentrates and copper sulphide concentrates and is also applicable to nickel and zinc sulphides. In these operations the electrical power consumed in the compression of air or oxygen, delivered to a reactor, and the energy requirement for dispersin...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C22B3/04
CPCC22B3/18C22B3/02Y02P10/20
Inventor RORKE, GARY VERNON
Owner BHP BILLITON