AN IMPROVED BENCH SCALE PRESSURE REACTOR SYSTEM FOR CHEMICAL LEACHING OF MINERALS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

摘要

The invention relates to a method for extraction of minerals and metals at elevated temperature and pressure by adapting a chemical leaching process, in an improved bench-scale pressure reactor system, the method comprising providing a mineral of desired size dried at a predetermined temperature, preparing a liquid alkali of specified concentration, charging the mixture of the mineral and liquid alkali into an improved pressure reactor (1), adjusting a plurality of valves (3 to 5) in the reactor system to ensure respective open or close positions of each valve, switching on a data acquisition means (19) attached to the pressure reactor (1), and commencing data saving including inputting the start time of the process, setting a set-point temperature and pressure adaptable to the process, switching on the heaters on the reactor (1), and adjusting the parameters based on the process requirements, carrying out the process for a scheduled operational time, switching off the heater, and discontinuing the data saving, the already saved data being transferred to a text file, decreasing the set temperature including releasing the pressure inside the reactor (1), and noting the end time of the process, collecting the slurry from the reactor (1) after completion of the process time, and filtering the slurry to collect the filtrate, measuring a plurality of variables namely details of the mineral used, temperature data, cooling water flow-rate, operating temperature and pressure, total operation time, total volume of slurry collected, total amount of filtrate collected, and total number of bleedings, and analyzing the collected data to determine the ash results of the treated mineral. The invention further discloses An improved bench-scale pressure reactor system.