Composite Adsorbent Core for Gold Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The gold mining industry faces significant losses due to the attrition of activated carbon (AC) in cyanidation processes, leading to the generation of fine carbon particles that are lost in tailings, resulting in increased costs and reduced gold recovery, as these particles are more heavily loaded with gold and pass through screens.
Innovation Solution
Development of an adsorbent composition comprising a core with wear resistance, resistance to corrosive conditions, and a thermoplastic material with a low porosity, coated with an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, to minimize attrition and retain gold on the surface, thereby reducing losses and enhancing recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If coarse activated carbon is used for gold adsorption, then gold recovery efficiency is improved, but carbon attrition generates fine particles that pass through screens and are lost in tailings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a durable core material (such as plastic resin, ceramic, or glass) coated with activated carbon. This composite design combines the mechanical strength and wear resistance of the core with the gold adsorption capability of the carbon coating, preventing carbon fines generation while maintaining high gold recovery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The activated carbon coating is applied only on the surface of the core, creating a localized functional layer. This allows the bulk material to provide mechanical durability while the surface layer performs the gold adsorption function, resolving the contradiction between using sufficient carbon for adsorption and preventing carbon loss through attrition
2Reliability
If activated carbon is added to slurry system, then gold adsorption occurs, but carbon particles break through attrition and are lost through screens to tailings
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with a mechanically strong core and carbon coating maintains adsorption reliability while preventing particle breakage. The core protects the carbon from mechanical stress in the slurry system, eliminating the source of fines that would otherwise pass through screens and be lost in tailings
Solution Approach 2:
The thin carbon coating layer on the core functions similarly to a flexible shell, providing the necessary adsorption surface area while being supported by the rigid core structure. This prevents the carbon from breaking into fine particles during slurry processing
3Quantity of substance
If fine AC particles are generated through attrition, then specific surface area increases and gold loading capacity increases, but particles pass through screens and report to tailings causing gold loss
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure provides sufficient adsorption capacity through the carbon coating while the core maintains particle size integrity. This prevents the generation of fine particles that would otherwise pass through screens, ensuring that gold-loaded particles are retained and can be processed for gold recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of particle structure from homogeneous carbon particles to composite core-coated particles. This structural parameter change maintains the surface area-to-volume ratio needed for high gold loading while preventing size reduction through attrition
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adsorbent composition effectively reduces gold losses by maintaining the adsorbent material on the surface of the core, preventing attrition and ensuring higher gold recovery rates, thus lowering operational costs and improving overall efficiency in gold ore processing.
Implementation Method 1
gold ions are adsorbed from the leach solution onto an adsorbent, such as activated carbon (AC)
Data Source
AI summary
An adsorbent composition comprising particles consisting of a core which is at least partially coated with an adsorbent material is disclosed. The core is selected so that it has at least one of: (i) wear resistance; (ii) resistance to corrosive conditions; (iii) at least one thermoplastic material; and (iv) a low porosity. A suitable core material is polystyrene. Adsorbent materials suitable for the coating include activated carbon and metal oxides such as silica and alumina. The adsorbent composition may be used for the adsorption of metals and metal ions in ore processing, for instance for the separation of precious metals such as gold.