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Evaluation of Flocculation and Settling Behavior of Leach Residues: Contribution of Principal Component Analysis

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Abstract

Chemical treatment is the best technology for the purification of copper–cobalt aqueous solutions because of its ability to remove suspended solids detrimental to downstream processes. However, the lack of optimization and adaptation of this method for the purification of the solutions obtained from the leaching of copper–cobalt ores with high mineralogical variability leads to significant fluctuations in the efficiency of the purification. This work investigated the batch settling–flocculation of fine solid particles (Al2O3 and SiO2) from copper–cobalt aqueous solutions using different flocculants (Brontë 234, APAM D8625-10, and CPAM D9640). The experimental variables comprised flocculant type, flocculant dosage, solids concentration, settling area, settling rate, % Al2O3, % SiO2, and particle size. The experimental 12 × 7 matrix was analyzed by principal component analysis, and the resulting principal components (PCs) and Varimax rotated PCs were analyzed using correlation circle plots. The most important settling variables proved to be the solids concentration, together with % Al2O3 and particle size. High settling rate (0.42 m/h) and low settling surface (0.40 m2/t/h) were obtained at the flocculant dosage of 20 g/t. In addition, good settling performance was obtained with anionic flocculants (APAM D8625-10 and Bronté 234) rather than the cationic flocculant considered (CPAM D9640).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, University of Likasi, P.O. Box 1946, Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Bienvenu Ilunga Mbuya & Symphorien Tshuyi Muhungu

  2. Department of Metallurgy, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, P.O. Box 17911, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    Méschac-Bill Kime

  3. EngSkills Consulting LLC, Layton, UT, USA

    Méschac-Bill Kime

  4. Faculty of Engineering, University of Lubumbashi, Kasapa Road, P.O. Box 1825, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Patrick Tshibanda Ntakamutshi, Tony Rukan Mwilen, Edouard Mutamba Mwema & Jean Marie Ntumba Kanda

  5. Gécamines Metallurgical Research Centre, Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Patrick Tshibanda Ntakamutshi, Edouard Mutamba Mwema & Arthur Tshamala Kaniki

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  1. Bienvenu Ilunga Mbuya
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  2. Méschac-Bill Kime
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  3. Patrick Tshibanda Ntakamutshi
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  6. Edouard Mutamba Mwema
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  7. Jean Marie Ntumba Kanda
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  8. Arthur Tshamala Kaniki
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Correspondence to Méschac-Bill Kime.

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The contributing editor for this article was Gabrielle Gaustad.

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Mbuya, B.I., Kime, MB., Ntakamutshi, P.T. et al. Evaluation of Flocculation and Settling Behavior of Leach Residues: Contribution of Principal Component Analysis. J. Sustain. Metall. 4, 485–492 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-018-0197-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-018-0197-x

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