Abstract
In the design of processes involving exothermic reactions, as is the case of several sulfide leaching systems, it is desirable to utilize the energy liberated by the reaction to drive the reactor toward autogenous operation. For optimal reactor design, models which couple leaching kinetics and heat effects are needed. In this paper, the principles of modeling exothermic leaching reactions are outlined. The system investigated is the high-temperature (160 °C to 200 °C) pressure (O2) oxidation of arsenopyrite (FeAsS). The reaction system is characterized by three consecutive reactions: (1) heterogeneous dissolution of arsenopyrite particles, (2) homogeneous oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III), and (3) precipitation of scorodite (FeAsO4-2H2O). The overall kinetics is controlled by the arsenopyrite surface reaction. There was good agreement between laboratory-scale batch tests and model predictions. The model was expanded to simulate the performance of large-scale batch and single-stage continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) for the same rate-limiting regime. Emphasis is given to the identification of steady-state temperatures for autogenous processing. The effects of operating variables, such as feed temperature, slurry density, and retention time, on reactor operation and yield of leaching products are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Robert W. Bartlett:Metall. Trans., 1971, vol. 2, pp. 2999–3006.
J.E. Sepulveda and J.A. Herbst: inFundamental Aspects of Hydrometallurgical Processes, T.W. Chapman, L.L. Tavlarides, G.L. Hubred, and R.M. Wellek, eds., AIChE Symp. Ser., 1978, vol. 57, pp. 41–65.
J.A. Ruether:Can. J. Chem. Eng., 1979, vol. 57, pp. 242–45.
J.B. Joshi, J.S. Abichandani, Y.T. Shah, J.A. Ruether, and H.J. Ritz:AIChE J., 1981, vol. 27 (6), pp. 937–45.
D.B. Dreisinger and E. Peters: inThe Mathematical Modelling of Metal Processing Operations, J. Szekely and H. Henein, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1987, pp. 347–69.
H. Henein and L.T. Biegler:Trans. Inst. Min. Metall., Sect. C, 1988, vol. 97, p. C215.
G.P. Demopoulos and V.G. Papangelakis: inProc. CIM Int. Symp. on Gold Metallurgy, R.S. Salter, D.M. Wysluzyl, and G.W. McDonald, eds., Pergamon Press, Toronto, ON, Canada, 1987, pp. 341–57.
V.G. Papangelakis and G.P. Demopoulos:Can. Metall. Q., 1990, vol. 29 (1), pp. 1–12.
V.G. Papangelakis and G.P. Demopoulos:Can. Metall. Q., 1990, vol. 29 (2), pp. 13–20.
V.G. Papangelakis, D. Berk, and G.P. Demopoulos: inHydrometallurgical Reactor Design and Kinetics, R.G. Bautista, R.J. Weseley, and G.W. Warren, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1986, pp. 209–25.
D.R. McKay and J. Halpern:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1958, vol. 6, pp. 301–09.
C.W. Bale, A.D. Pelton, and W.T. Thomson:Facility for the Analysis of Chemical Thermodynamics (F*A*C*T), McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada.
CG. Hill:An Introduction to Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Reactor Design, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1977, pp. 2, 3, 411, and 370.
J.M. Smith:Chemical Engineering Kinetics, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 1981, pp. 246 and 286.
O. Levenspiel:Chemical Reaction Engineering, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1972, p. 229.
K.M. Sarkar:Trans. Inst. Min. Metall., Sect. C, 1985, vol. 94, pp. C184-C189.
J.B. Ackerman and C.S. Bucans:Miner. Metall. Process., 1986, vol. 3 (1), pp. 20–32.
D.D. Perlmutter:Stability of Chemical Reactors, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1972, pp. 19–50.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Papangelakis, V.G., Berk, D. & Demopoulos, G.P. Mathematical modeling of an exothermic leaching reaction system: pressure oxidation of wide size arsenopyrite participates. Metall Trans B 21, 827–837 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02657807
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02657807