Oxygen Diffuser Design for Leaching Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mineral beneficiation processes for gold and silver, particularly in leaching tanks and cyanide destruction reactors, face inefficiencies in oxygen application, reagent consumption, and pulp retention time, lacking an effective oxygen diffuser that enhances oxygen concentration and recovery rates while reducing costs and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an oxygen diffuser with a specific design, featuring a truncated cone structure and angular cuts, positioned at the lower part of the leaching or cyanide destruction tank, which efficiently regulates oxygen bubble size and distribution, ensuring optimal oxygen concentration and reduced reagent usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional aeration devices are used in leaching tanks, then oxygen transfer occurs, but oxygen application efficiency is low and reagent consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen application efficiencyVSAvoidreagent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a diffuser plate with multiple porous elements that generate fine bubbles for oxygen transfer. The porous structure increases the surface area of oxygen contact with the pulp, improving oxygen application efficiency while reducing the quantity of reagents needed for effective leaching and cyanide destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of oxygen delivery by controlling bubble size distribution through the diffuser design. By optimizing bubble diameter and rise velocity, the system achieves more efficient oxygen transfer kinetics, thereby reducing reagent consumption while maintaining effective treatment rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If oxygen is added to accelerate reaction kinetics, then leaching efficiency improves, but retention time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleaching efficiencyVSAvoidretention time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser plate segments the oxygen supply into numerous small bubbles distributed throughout the tank volume. This segmentation increases the total interfacial area for oxygen transfer, accelerating reaction kinetics and improving leaching efficiency without requiring extended retention times, as oxygen is delivered more effectively throughout the pulp column.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from surface aeration to volumetric oxygen distribution by introducing bubbles that rise through the entire pulp column height. This three-dimensional oxygen distribution enhances mass transfer rates and accelerates leaching kinetics, achieving higher productivity within the same retention time frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If fine bubble diffusers are used to increase oxygen transfer, then oxygen concentration improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen concentrationVSAvoiddiffuser structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser utilizes a relatively simple porous plate structure made from ceramic or plastic material with standardized pore patterns. This straightforward implementation achieves fine bubble generation and high oxygen transfer efficiency without requiring complex mechanical components, moving parts, or sophisticated control systems, thereby maintaining low device complexity while improving oxygen concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

This solution increases oxygen application efficiency by up to 30%, reduces reagent consumption by 20%, accelerates reaction kinetics, shortens retention time, and enhances gold and silver recovery, making the processes more stable and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

a diffuser (35) structured as a straight truncated cone... having angular cuts (38) throughout its periphery... said angular cuts (38) being used to generate fine bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble formation and diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

adding oxygen or a source thereof to said mixture to provide a dissolved oxygen level of at least 5 and approximately 6 ppm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas dissolution: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230323504A1System for oxygen diffusion in tanks for leaching and destruction of cyanide cryomining

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 CRYOINFRA SA DE C V

AI summary

The present invention refers to the recovery of high-value metals such as gold and silver from ores containing them by the leaching process that is carried out in tanks or reactors, and to the destruction of cyanide, which is carried out in cyanide destruction (detox) tanks at the end of the leaching process, to avoid damage to the environment. An oxygen diffuser with a specific design is provided which is used in pulp leaching tanks and in cyanide destruction (detox) tanks containing residual pulp, with the application of oxygen, whereby better results are obtained in the recovery of metals, in the application of oxygen and in retention time, among others.