Continuous process for ore reaction

摘要

In a continuous process for reacting particulate ore with a liquid reagent in a counter-current vertical column, wherein liquid reagent is introduced at the bottom of the column, particulate ore is introduced at the top of the column, reacted particulate ore is removed at the bottom of the column, and spent liquid reagent is removed at the top of the column, the improvement comprising: (a) providing an upper and lower chamber for the vertical column, each of said chambers having a bottom outlet with a diameter which is less than that of the diameter of the chamber; (b) maintaining sufficient upward flow of liquid reagent in the upper chamber so that the particulate ore is wetted and deaerated, at least some fine particles thereof are carried overhead for removal, and the remainder thereof settle and enter the lower chamber; (c) maintaining sufficient fluidization and retention time in the lower chamber so that the desired amount of reaction with the ore takes place, at least some of the fine ore particles which are generated from the reaction process and/or which are introduced with the particulate ore are entrained and carried upward for removal, and the reacted particulate ore exits the lower chamber.