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Evaluation of velocity-dependent in situ leaching processes: Single-porosity model

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Abstract

A methodology to characterize processes of in situ leaching is developed to study various parameters that may affect the recovery of a valuable mineral and to assure a successful application of the in situ leaching technology. A leaching kinetics model is first derived based on the concept of representative elementary volume (REV) in porous ore deposits. Every parameter in the model is clearly defined and may be easy to obtain in practice. Then the governing equations are obtained for transport of both the reagent and the dissolved mineral in porous ore deposits. These equations are solved by a fully three-dimensional computer simulator. Effects on the mineral recovery of parameters such as lumped rate constant, ore porosity, injection flux, and macrodispersivities are investigated through the three-dimensional case with one injection well. It is found that all of these four parameters, interconnected through the ore porosity, significantly affect the effectiveness of the in situ leaching. Furthermore, the flow velocity of leach solution within an ore deposit may be the key parameter to the design of a real leaching mine because all of the other three parameters are site specific.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 6907, Nedlands, Perth, WA, Australia

    J. Liu (Research Associate)

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 6907, Nedlands, Perth, WA, Australia

    B. H. Brady (Professor)

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  1. J. Liu
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Liu, J., Brady, B.H. Evaluation of velocity-dependent in situ leaching processes: Single-porosity model. Metall Mater Trans B 29, 1227–1234 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-998-0045-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-998-0045-7

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