Object-oriented simulation of hydrometallurgical processes Part III. Application to leaching of laterites and pyrites

Abstract

The steady-state process simulator developed by Kiranoudis et al. has been used for the detailed simulation of sulfuric acid pressure leaching of laterite ores for the extraction of nickel and cobalt, and aqueous pressure oxidation of pyrites for the recovery of gold. Advanced hydrometallurgical process models for the specific unit operations involved were developed and are appropriately described. The simulation mainly focuses on studying the overall effects of certain design parameters on the entire plant efficiency. In the case of pyrites, the autothermal performance of the pressure autoclaves can be maintained by means of the oxidized recycle stream that greatly influences the fundamental heat balances of the reactor. Flashing the reactor pulp at the exit of the autoclaves results in further precipitation of solids related to ionic equilibrium reactions. The effect of grinding is important since most reactions are facilitated by small particle diameters. The ratio of feed pyrites influences the amount of precipitation of solids in the autoclave.