Browsing by Author "Dixon, D G"

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    The influence of applied potentials and temperature on the electrochemical response of Chalcopyrite in Bacterial Leaching
    (Elsevier, 2002) Tshilombo, A F; Petersen, J; Dixon, D G
    Electrochemical techniques were conducted to clarify the role of solution potential and temperature under a variety of experimental conditions similar to those found during the mesophilic and thermophilic biooxidation of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2). Despite a large number of publications dealing with the bacterial leaching of CuFeS2, three central aspects remain unclear: How to dissolve preferentially copper from CuFeS2, the effect of temperature on the extent of CuFeS2 passivation, and the behavior of ferric ions on a polarized CuFeS2 surface. Anodic characteristics showed that CuFeS2 passivation was more severe in the potential range 0.45–0.65 V saturated calomel electrode at 25 C. However, there was no evidence of CuFeS2 passivation at higher temperatures (45 and 65 C). Cu was preferentially dissolved from CuFeS2 at lower potentials and high temperatures at a ratio copper to iron of about 3:2. Cathodic characteristics showed that the ferric ions inhibited the leaching process when the CuFeS2 surface was polarized at high potentials and low temperatures.
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    Modelling zinc heap bioleaching
    (Elsevier, 2007) Petersen, J; Dixon, D G
    A comprehensive modelling study of the HydroZinc™ heap bioleach process, using the HeapSim modelling tool, is described. The model was calibrated on the basis of a small number of column leach experiments and compared against pilot heap test results. The model calibration thus confirmed, a detailed sensitivity study was conducted in order to establish the key parameters that determine the overall rate of Zn extraction. In the present case these were found to be oxygen gas–liquid mass transfer, various factors affecting the delivery of acid into the heap, and factors affecting the temperature distribution within the heap. A set of improved design parameters are proposed that would almost double the zinc conversion rate measured in the pilot plant – from 83% in 740 days to 78% in 383 days – and increase zinc production rate from 1.77 to 4.35 kg/m2/day. However, this improvement must be evaluated in the context of various implications for the downstream process.
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    Open Access
    Thermophilic Heap Leaching of a Chalcopyrite Concentrate
    (Elsevier, 2002) Petersen, J; Dixon, D G
    Thermophiles have been shown to be the only micro-organisms to leach chalcopyrite successfully. Heap leaching may be a feasible alternative to conventional bio-reactors, providing a high temperature environment can be maintained within the heap without external heating. In the present study thermophilic heap leaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate coated onto inert support rocks (the GEOCOAT™ process) was studied in sets of small heated columns. The temperature was gradually increased to 70 °C, while successively introducing various mesophile and thermophile cultures. Individual columns were dismantled after progressively longer leach periods and the residual concentrates analysed. Copper extractions in excess of 90% were achieved within 100 days. On the basis of head and residue analyses the rate of reaction heat generated was calculated. A comprehensive heap heat conservation model was used to determine whether the experimental temperatures can be achieved and maintained in a full scale heap. Results indicate that operating hot heaps successfully is possible within a certain range of process parameters.