[go: up one dir, main page]

WO1989009837A1 - Procede de recuperation de metaux nobles - Google Patents

Procede de recuperation de metaux nobles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989009837A1
WO1989009837A1 PCT/AU1989/000158 AU8900158W WO8909837A1 WO 1989009837 A1 WO1989009837 A1 WO 1989009837A1 AU 8900158 W AU8900158 W AU 8900158W WO 8909837 A1 WO8909837 A1 WO 8909837A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mercury
slurry
noble metal
column
recovery apparatus
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/AU1989/000158
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew Neville Corbett
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO1989009837A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989009837A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B11/00—Obtaining noble metals
    • C22B11/10—Obtaining noble metals by amalgamating
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B11/00—Obtaining noble metals
    • C22B11/10—Obtaining noble metals by amalgamating
    • C22B11/12—Apparatus therefor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20—Recycling

Definitions

  • This invention relates to noble metal recovery and in particular to a process and system which has particular utility in recovering gold from a slurry containing the same.
  • a recovery process for noble metal entrained within a slurry comprising:- generating a flow of slurry; dispersing mercury in counter current exchange with said slurry to substantially pervade said slurry during its passage therethrough so that said noble metal may amalgamate therewith; accumulating said mercury after its passage through said slurry; extracting the amalgam from the mercury; and extracting said noble metal from the resultant amalgam to recover said noble metal.
  • a noble metal recovery apparatus for recovering noble metal from a slurry having said noble metal entrained therein by the above process comprising:- means to establish a flow of slurry; means to disperse a spray of mercury into the flow of slurry; a well for the accumulation of mercury; extraction means whereby accumulated mercury may be removed for collection of noble metals; a well disposed at said bottom for accumulating said dispersed mercury after passing through said slurry; first extracting means to remove said mercury from the well; a vessel to receive the accumulated mercury; second extracting means to remove said noble metal from the resultant amalgam; and means to create a flow of said slurry within said container whereby slurry containing said noble metal may be constantly supplied to said inlet region and treated slurry may be discharged from said outlet region.
  • the two flows which are contacted may include either of mercury flow through a slurry or mercury flow through another liquid such as a cleaning fluid.
  • the flow of the fluid to be contacted with mercury may be established in a vertical flow column, down a spiral surface or over a cone.
  • mercury droplets are sprayed, dispersed, injected or otherwise created in the flow in a manner which enables mercury droplets to move through the slurry to a collection point or points.
  • the intermixing of the two flows may be enhanced by the addition of paddles, baffles, etc.
  • Residence time is a factor of things such as the number of columns the slurry is flowed through, the slurry velocity, the height of a particular column, etc.
  • the velocity of the slurry is dependent upon factors such as feed pressure, column geometry etc.
  • an electrode may be contacted to the mercury in the mercury circuit such that droplets are charged on formation. If this is to be effected, the apparatus employed in performing the recovery process must be non-conducting and materials such as fibre glass and plastics are usefully employed. Carbon provides a useful electrode for applying electric power to the mercury circuit.
  • Filters for collection of amalgams may be connected in parallel to increase capacity.
  • Sintered metal filters may be used to withstand the substantial forward and back flushing pressures in the mercury circuit.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a fine gold recovery plant in accordance with the first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the gold recovery system used in the plant described in the first embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the plant in accordance with the second embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative gold recovery system for use in the second embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation of the gold recovery system in accordance with the third embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a column and associated mercury and slurry circuits to facilitate explanation of the concept of the gold recovery system described in any of the embodiments;
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view of a group of four columns connected in series which form part of the gold recovery system in accordance with the fourth embodiment;
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of FIG. 9 showing the serial connection between the columns;
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view of a cluster of four groups of columns in accordance with the fourth embodiment
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional elevation of a cluster of groups of columns
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view of a cluster of ten groups
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view of a cluster of fifteen groups
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view of a cluster of twenty groups.
  • the first embodiment is directed towards a pilot plant for fine gold recovery having a capacity of approximately one tonne per hour.
  • This plant uses a fine gold recovery system comprising one cluster of columns.
  • the plant comprises two principal stages: a feed preparation stage; and a gold recovery stage.
  • the feed preparation stage comprises a feed hopper 1, a variable speed belt feeder 2, a conveyor 3, an attritioner 4, .a conditioner 5, a pump 6, a vibratory sieve bend 7, a slurry hopper 8 and a pump 9.
  • the feed hopper is adapted to receive fine auriferous material which is conveyed along the belt feeder 2 to be deposited upon the conveyor 3.
  • the conveyor transports the material to the attritioner 4 where the material is scrubbed and disintegrated into -. its individual particulate components for the purposes of creating a slurry.
  • the material is passed into the conditioner 5 where suitable additives and water are combined with the particulate material to form the slurry of desired density.
  • the subsequent slurry is pumped by the pump 6 to the sieve bend 7 where the gold containing fraction is separated from the rest of the slurry and reports to the hopper 8 and pump 9 to the gold recovery stage.
  • the gold recovery stage comprises a system 10 particularly adapted for fine gold recovery, i.e. gold of a particle down to a size of less than approximately 350 microns.
  • the system 10 in the present embodiment comprises a single contactor column 13 constructed of plastic material which forms part of a cluster (not shown), a mercury circuit 15 and a slurry circuit 17, as shown at FIG. 3.
  • the column is formed with a circular side wall 19 and a bottom 21 into which is incorporated a well 23.
  • the column is approximately 6 metres in height and is of a diameter of approximately 4000 millimetres.
  • the top of the column is sealed with a removable lid 25 to which is mounted a coupling 27 for an inlet pipe of the slurry circuit 17 and from which is suspended a continuation of the feed tube which extends from the top of the column all the way down to a location spaced from the bottom 21.
  • the tube is of a diameter of approximately 100 millimetres consequently defining an annular region between the outer surface of the feed tube and the inner " surface of the side wall 19 of the column.
  • the mercury circuit 15 of the system comprises a dispersing means 31 disposed within or around the annular region of the column, the well 23, a recirculating pipeline 33 and a mercury pump 35.
  • the dispersing means 31 is disposed towards the top of the column below the outlet 29 and comprises a circular manifold 37 concentrically disposed about the central axis of the column and to which is mounted a series of jets 39 disposed at equal angular locations around the manifold and each of which are directed axially downward relative to the column.
  • the pump 35 is adapted to pump mercury accumulated within the well 23 along the pipeline 33 to the dispersing means 31 for dispersing within the annular region of the column.
  • the mercury circuit 15 also includes cleaning means and extracting means, which shall be described in more detail in the third embodiment, for cleaning and extracting gold from a resultant gold amalgam containing mercury formed in the column to enable fine gold recovery.
  • conditioned slurry from the hopper tank 45 is pumped through the slurry feed line 17 in the manner previously described to pass vertically upwards via the annular region of the column at a velocity marginally greater than the settling velocity of the slurry.
  • mercury is pumped through the mercury circuit 15 in the manner previously described to be dispersed into the annular region of the column so as to pervade the rising slurry in a counter-current exchange.
  • an effective mercury shower is provided which gravitates downwardly through to slurry to eventually accumulate within the well 23.
  • a particular advantage of the present embodiment is the cross sectional area of the annular region of the column. Accordingly this feature enhances the treatment of a relatively high volume of slurry in a given time and thereby increases throughput. To the extent that a number of such columns are used, throughput is increased to greater efficiency than in other systems.
  • the present invention presents a simple manner in which this can be achieved by simply adding additional columns, and/or by reducing the upward flow velocity within the annulus and/or varying the geometry, height, cross-sectional area of individual columns. Different embodiments of this arrangement are described in later embodiments of the description.
  • the second embodiment is substantially similar to the preceding embodiment, except that it is directed towards a plant which provides a high throughput and also higher residence time for the slurry to improve the amount of gold recovery.
  • the feed preparation stage of the plant is much the same as that of the previous embodiment where a feed hopper 51 is provided with a variable speed belt feeder 53 to feed a conveyor 55.
  • the conveyor 55 in turn feeds an attritioner 57 which is in turn connected via a wet screen 59 to feed a conditioner 61.
  • the conditioner discharges slurry to a " pump 63 for feeding to a sieve bend 65, and discharges oversized material via a chute 67 which feeds to a sluice 69 for conveying the oversized material to the tails hopper 71.
  • the sieve bend 65 discharges slurry material to a secondary sieve bend 73 via a pump 75. Both sieve bends are provided with discharge chutes for oversized material, the first sieve bend discharging oversized material to the sluice 69 and the second sieve bend discharging oversized material to another sluice 77 for conveyance to the tails hopper 71.
  • the tails hopper 71 feeds oversized material via a pump 79 to tails.
  • the gold recovery stage employs a system 80 comprising a group of four columns 81 which are connected serially so that the first column 81a has its inlet pipe 83 connected to the outlet of the secondary sieve bend 73 via a pump 85, the second column 81b has the inlet pipe thereof connected to the outlet pipe 86 5 of the first column 81a, and so on until the last column 81c has its outlet pipe 87 disposed to discharge treated slurry onto the sluice 77 for conveyance to the tails hopper 71.
  • the output chute 89 of the secondary sieve bend 73 instead of feeding oversized material directly to the sluice 77 and hence direct to the tails hopper 71, alternatively 5 feeds oversized material to a secondary conditioner 91 and distributor 93 to spirals 95.
  • the spiral concentrate is reintroduced to the inlet of the slurry pump 85 for combining with the undersized material from the secondary sieve bend 73 and conveyance 0 to the inlet pipe 83 of the first column 81a.
  • the distributor 93 directs material from the secondary conditioner 91 to spirals 95 either side for eventual discharge to tails.
  • the output line 87 of the last column 81c is also directed straight to the 5 tails.
  • the alternative arrangement of the gold recovery system has the advantage that the oversized material from the secondary sieve bend 73 is treated with spirals 95 instead of a sluice 77 and thereby is possibly more efficient in certain operations.
  • the plants are only adapted to process clays and fine slurry material but not boulders, which would normally be required to be separated from fine material or to be subjected to a crushing process before being subjected to treatment.
  • the third embodiment is directed towards an actual production plant which can provide a fine feed fraction throughput typically of up to 70 tonnes per hour or more, with a slurry of 20% solids by weight in a modular design to easily enable multiplies of this throughput to be attained as is desired.
  • the feed preparation stage is substantially identical to that described in the preceding embodiments and hence shall not be expanded upon.
  • the gold recovery stage employs a system which is modularised and which can be clustered.
  • the system comprises a cluster of groups of columns 101 housed within a tank 103 of approximately 3 metres in diameter.
  • the columns 101 are organised into serial groups comprising two or more columns.
  • the columns are arranged into five groups of three each group comprising a first column 101a, a second column 101b and a third column 101c, serially disposed as in the previous embodiment.
  • Each group is disposed at equal angular locations about the central axis of the tank 103 along the inner circumferential wall of the tank. Furthermore, each group is connected to a common feed and discharge distributor 105 located centrally on the said tank through which slurry material is fed into and discharged from the various groups of columns via their inlet pipes 107 and outlet pipes 109 respectively.
  • the inlet pipe 107 is connected to the top of the first column 101a centrally and the outlet pipe 109 is connected- to the side of the last column 101c for discharge to tails. Accordingly, the outlet of the pipe of the first column is connected directly to the inlet pipe of the second column 101b and the outlet pipe of this column is connected to the inlet pipe of the next, which in the present embodiment is the third column 101c.
  • the columns in each group effectively decrease in axial length to maintain a decreasing gradient for each of the feed pipes but a different arrangement may be used to ensure that the length of each column is constant.
  • FIG. 6 of the drawings The arrangement of the feed and discharge distributor 105 is better shown at FIG. 6 of the drawings, wherein a main discharge pipe 111 is connected to a central chamber 113 of the distributor 105 and a main feed supply pipe 115 with a check valve 115a is connected to an annular chamber 117 disposed about the outer circumference of the discharge pipe 111 proximate to the central discharge chamber 113.
  • the annular chamber 117 is connected via an elbow to each inlet pipe 107 of each group of columns 101, and the central chamber 113 is connected to each of the outlet pipes 109 of each group.
  • the design of the system is modularised in that all inlet pipes are of a common size and shape and similarly all outlet pipes are of a common size and shape. Furthermore, each group of columns is idential thereby modularising the various columns _which constitute the groups.
  • the feed and discharge distributor is located: towards the top of the tank 103 thereby providing a large central inspection/work space to all of the columns within the confines of the tank 103. Consequently, it is possible to locate the mercury circuit 119 within this work space and arrange it so that a common source of mercury is provided to each of the columns of the group thereby reducing duplication of the external components of the circuit and hence reducing costs in construction.
  • the contactor column 101 comprises a circumferential side wall 121 and an outwardly convex bottom 123.
  • the top of the column is sealed with a lid 125 to which is attached the depending feed tube 127.
  • the feed tube 127 extends all the way from the top of column to terminate at a distal end 127a marginally spaced above the bottom 123 of the column.
  • the feed tube 127 defines an annular region 129 between the outer surface thereof and the inner surface of the side wall 121 which extends along the full axial extent of the tube.
  • the top of the tube 127 communicates with the inlet pipe 107 via an appropriate coupling.
  • An outlet port 131 is formed in the side wall 121 proximate to the top of the column so as to communicate with the annular region 129 of the column.
  • the port 131 includes a coupling 133 which in turn is connected to the outlet pipe 109 associated therewith.
  • the outlet pipe connects directly to the central chamber 113 of the distributor 105 via a partitioned chamber 135.
  • a pressure gauge 137 and slurry valve 139 are provided in the outlet pipe for control purposes.
  • the bottom 123 of the column incorporates the well for accumulating globules of mercury which gravitate down the column in the mercury circuit to form a pool 141.
  • the surface of this pool is disposed marginally below the distal end 127a of the feed tube to be exposed to the slurry as it exits the tube.
  • a drain is provided in the bottom of the well to drain the pool of mercury 141 and convey the mercury to a cleaning means and gold extracting means which form part of a mercury treatment means of the mercury circuit.
  • a transfer pipe 143 connects the drain to a mercury pump reservoir 145 via a strainer 147 which incorporates a coarse filter of approximately 350 micron aperture to filter out extraneous complex precipitates from the mercury pool which could damage the mercury pump.
  • the pump reservoir 145 forms part of the cleaning means and is sealed to define a chamber which is completely filled by a residual volume of mercury 149 at the bottom thereof and a quantity of oxidant 151 at the top thereof.
  • the residual volume of mercury 149 is continually drained by way of the outlet pipe 153 which is connected to a mercury pump 155 for pumping the mercury up through a recirculating pipeline 157 to a charging reservoir 159 of a charging means disposed towards the top of the column, which also forms part of the mercury treatment means.
  • the gold extracting means comprises a fine gauge extracting filter 161 which is connected in a feed back arrangement in the mercury circuit between the mercury pump 155 and the pump reservoir 145. Thus high pressure mercury in the circulating pipeline 157 is bled through the filter 161 to return to the low pressure pump reservoir, so that the filter can extract any gold amalgam residing within the mercury.
  • the:- oxidant 151 within the pump reservoir 145 being of a- lesser- specific gravity than the mercury 149, resides above the residual volume of mercury and is used to clean the mercury of base metal amalgams by reacting with the same so as to leave the comparatively inert gold amalgams within clean mercury.
  • a supply of oxidant in the form of sulphuric acid or other proprietory products such as "MCC40" (trade mark) is contained within a sealed storage reservoir 163 equipped with a safety valve 165.
  • the storage reservoir 163 is connected via a high pressure delivery pipe 167 and pump 169 to the mercury pump reservoir 145 and the latter is connected to the former by a return pipe 171 to complete the oxidant cleaning circuit.
  • the delivery pipe 167 discharges acid into the residual mercury volume 149 to bubble up through the mercury cleaning the same.
  • the annulus 129 is connected via a tube 253 to a pressure transmitting device 254 which contains a rubber bladder 255 sealed to the inlet side of the device so as to apply pressure against a sealed air enclosure 250 and valve 251.
  • the fluctuations of pressure within the annulus 129 are transmitted to the fluid contained behind the rubber bladder to the area 249 and thus via the tube 248 to the storage reservoir 163 thus maintaining a balance between the variable pressures applied to mercury both in the column pool 141 and the reservoir 149.
  • a separate quantity of oxidant such as sulphuric acid, ferrous chloride or potassium di- chromate contained within a separate storage reservoir
  • the filter to connect to a compressed air supply to facilitate discharge of residual mercury within the filter prior to its removal from the circuit.
  • the mercury pump 155 preferably employs a continuous pumping action, although the system can still
  • a pump by-pass 185 and valve is provided to allow the mercury line 157 and tank 145 to be drained and also to allow the filter 161 to be positioned at the lowest point within the circuit to maximise the differential pressure across the filter 161.
  • the mercury circulation stainless steel pipeline 157 introduces mercury into the bottom of the charging reservoir 159 via a heat exchanger 157a (where necessary) and a one way check valve 157b of approx. 50 psi to establish a residual volume of mercury 187 within - : the; reservoir, within which an electrode connected to the negative side of a cell 189 via an electrical connection 191 is immersed.
  • the remainder of the charging reservoir 159 is occupied by an electrolyte such as salt or the proprietory product "MCC50" (trade mark) into which is immersed a carbon electrode connected to the positive side of the cell 189 via an electrical connection 195.
  • the inlet manifold 197 is circular in shape and is disposed preferably within the annular region 129 of the column at a location approximate the top thereof.
  • the manifold 197 is provided with a series of equally angularly spaced jets 201 which sprinke globules of mercury into the annular region of the column in a counter-current downward direction to the rising slurry within the region.
  • the size of the jet aperture is quite critical 5 to the performance of the system as is the rate of flow of the mercury therefrom. Essentially, a delicate balance between a sufficiently small globule size to. pervade the slurry and a sufficiently large globule size to prevent flouring of the mercury is required to be
  • a pressure intensifier might be applied to the 0 mercury circuit.
  • a large pneumatic cylinder is used to force oil from a small chamber at a pressure ratio consistant with the relevant sizes of the driving pistons to create a higher down stream hydraulic line pressure for example:- a differential in piston size of 5 10:1 would multiply downstream pressure by 10.
  • a reciprocating intensifier may be used and the Hasker air oil pump is an example of a satisfactory type for this purpose. It is air driven and can be stalled without damage at full operating pressure. 0
  • a function of the pumping circuit is that the mercury is to be filtered to collect the amalgamated particles which can be less than 2 micron. By nature, filters this fine have an extremely high pressure drop which increases as they are "blocked". As mercury is a :5 metal, it is not compressable and as reliefs cannot be used, it is necessary to stop pumping and hold that pressure. Air/oil intensifiers by nature will stand on load, if load (pressure) falls, then the pump will immediately react to deliver full pressure.
  • the circuit can be provided with an auto change over which allows 5 the fluid to back flush the filter, passing this fluid into a second filter.
  • the process can be a continuous operation.
  • the flow can be divided into two pumps with one pump providing continuous flow at pressure through the contactor circuit.
  • the second pump can be used more
  • the time used for this cleaning may be controlled.
  • the system then becomes automatic. As the filter blocks, pressure increases, so does drive pressure. Once this reaches a set point, the system reverses so that the flow cleans the filter for a
  • An additional aspect of the system comprises placing a charging plate near the distal end 127a of the draft tube 127 so as to impart a positive charge to the slurry upon it exiting the draft tube and being exposed to the mercury.
  • the fourth embodiment of the description is directed towards a plant using a cluster configuration for the columns in the system which is marginally different to the configuration described in the preceding embodiment.
  • a greater residence time is achieved by using four columns in a group, whilst still maintaining the cluster type of configuration as previously described.
  • four columns 203 are arranged in a square formation in plan to form a group having the various inlet and outlet pipes 205 thereof interconnected so that the slurry flows serially through the columns as sourced from a main feeder pipe 207 connected to the first of the columns and a discharge pipe 209 connected to the last of the columns within the group.
  • 5 columns 203 are interconnected by an internal rigid framework 211 which also support the various slurry and mercury circuits, rather than a tank as described in the previous embodiment.
  • each group of columns may be connected to a common distribution and discharge head 213 where the various groups ⁇ of columns 215 are arranged at equal angular
  • feeder pipes 207 and discharge pipes 209 of each group 215 which interconnect a group of columns to the head 213 are of equal length providing a degree of modularity as well as maintaining
  • 35 hour may be attained, and using 20 such groups in a cluster as shown at FIG. 15 of the drawings a throughput of 200 to 240 tonnes per hour may be achieved.
  • the distributor 213 is required to be much larger than 5 that adopted in the previous embodiment, wherein the head is divided up into a slurry supply head 213a and a slurry discharge head 213b.
  • the slurry supply head 213a is fed with slurry from a main supply line 217 and distributes the same to each feeder pipe 209,
  • the supply head is disposed at an elevated location relative to each of the groups 215 of the plant.
  • the common discharge head 213b is disposed below the supply head 213a to receive slurry from each of the discharge
  • the tank impellor unit used in the test comprised an acrylic tank 221 which was constructed and mounted on a test frame 5 (not shown).
  • a sub-frame (not shown) was adjustably mounted to the test frame and supported a variable speed drive motor 223 attached to an impellor 225 via a drive shaft 227.
  • the impellor was permanently mounted inside a plastic draft tube 229 whereby the sub-frame assembly including a variable speed FHP controller 231 for the motor could be racked up and down axially relative to the tank upon the completion of each test for measurement and cleaning purposes.
  • the impellor 225 was constructed of stainless steel and the drive shaft and impellor were coated in polyurethene. . In each test the draft tube and impellor assembly was adjusted so that its vertical height from a mercury pool 233 disposed in the well 235 at the bottom of the tank was constant.
  • the bottom of the draft tube was fitted with a steel ring to which a 3mm open area stainless steel wire mesh screen 237 was fixed for later use as an electrode analogous to the charging plate described in the third embodiment.
  • the impellor 225 was of conventional design so that known RPM/flow rate data could be translated into meaningful ongoing scaled up proportions pertinent to the test.
  • a circular plastic mercury outlet manifold 241 within which open, plastic jets were inserted.
  • the palstic jets 243 were spaced at 30mm intervals around the circumference of the manifold and were oriented to spray directly downwards.
  • the impellor 25 by controlling the electric motor could be varied in speed from zero to approximately 900 rpm. In practice, the speed used was approximately 475 rpm.
  • the mercury pool at the bottom of the tank was pumped by a 3 inch diaphragm dosing pump 245 the outlet of which was connected to the mercury manifold via a plastic pressure hose 247 and fittings.
  • a 3 inch diaphragm dosing pump 245 the outlet of which was connected to the mercury manifold via a plastic pressure hose 247 and fittings.
  • silica sand was hand screened with a 500 micron stainless steel sieve. The undersize was heaped and left for three weeks to dry on the laboratory floor. Each test sample was physically weighed on a Sartorius balance according to the following table:-
  • a beaker was tared on a weighing balance accurate to two decimal places and a mass of one gram of -20 micron gold was added to the beaker. This was then covered with approximately 20mls of methylated spirits. Prior to dosing considerable mechanical effort went into ensuring the gold particles were dissociated.
  • Mercury was measured in a measuring cylinder to the volume nominated in the table of test results provided at Table 1 herewith. Tap water was added to the tank to a predetermined measured 60 litre mark on the tank. Next, the desired volume of mercury was added to the tank and the mercury pump commenced. The impellor was then started and set to 475 rpm, whereupon the sand mass was added to the tank. The dissociated gold in alcohol was then added to the tank and the starting time recorded. The tank impellor was operated for a nominated residence time.
  • Test 13 is particularly significant in that almost all (599/600) of the mercury was recovered. The 0 " . value of 96% recovery was considered easily achievable for a five minute time interval. TEST 15 - 19
  • Test 16 was repeated in test 18 and the result 0 ' obtained (83%) when plotted with the 0.5 min recovery of 74% achieved in test 19 indicates that this is probably very close to "fitting" the recovery curve.
  • results indicate that recovery decreases at higher solid densities (73% at 30% w/w, 92% 20. at 15% w/w) .
  • test 22 (72% at 0.5 min time interval) closely matched test 19 (74% at 0.5 min time interval) .
  • test 26 100% recovery was achieved at 1.5 minutes. A lot of time was spent endeavouring to work out whey the value exceeded test 16 (95% at 1.5 min) and test 18 (83% at 1.5 min). No explanation can be offered, except to say that perhaps some of the sample gold did not fully dissociate " and became therefore easier to recover. However, since all samples were prepared in the same manner this is unlikely.
  • TEST 28 BULK SAMPLE TEST This material was slimes from a recovery site, which was put through an attritioner and screened to minus 350 microns and adjusted in solids density to 20% w/w.
  • the tank unit is a batch unit, so that it became necessary to syphon off 20 litres of slurry from the top of the tank unit and then add a similar quantity of 20% w/w slurry each 30 seconds.
  • the process circulation and mercury sprays continues operation.
  • the mercury jets used in most tests were 1.5mm in diameter and were screwed into the flexible manifold wall. However, the jet entry points projected marginally into the manifold itself and resulted, even with the appreciation of compressed air, with a certain amount of mercury being retained in the manifold. In addition a small amount of mercury was retained within the ball valve assembly of the diaphragm pump. It was considered that fine gold was more or less evenly distributed within the mercury charge since gold recovered was influenced by the percentage of recovered mercury.
  • the mercury shower within the column can be re ⁇ directed from side to side in such a way that the probability of slurry particles not coming into contact with mercury is very small indeed.
  • the tests performed using the tank were only demonstrative of conceptual aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular emb ⁇ odiments herein described. Thus, it should be apprec ⁇ iated that many changes can be made to the plant and system described in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the annular region between the draft tube and wall of the column may have radially inwardly disposed baffles or the like to provide a tortuous path for the outflowing slurry, thereby increasing residence time and increasing the likelihood of the mercury shower coming into contact with gold entrained in the slurry flow.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)

Abstract

Le procédé de récupération de métaux nobles décrit utilise le contact en contre courant d'un flux de schlamm avec un flux de mercure en forme de gouttellettes, le mercure étant recueilli et filtré pour en extraire les amalgames en vue de la récupération des métaux nobles. Une charge électrique peut être appliquée aux gouttellettes de mercure pour améliorer la récupération. D'autres matériaux recueillis par le mercure peuvent être extraits dans des cycles d'épuration destinés à permettre leur extraction. Le procédé peut s'effectuer par lots ou en continu.
PCT/AU1989/000158 1988-04-08 1989-04-10 Procede de recuperation de metaux nobles Ceased WO1989009837A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPI766688 1988-04-08
AUPI7666 1988-04-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989009837A1 true WO1989009837A1 (fr) 1989-10-19

Family

ID=3773009

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1989/000158 Ceased WO1989009837A1 (fr) 1988-04-08 1989-04-10 Procede de recuperation de metaux nobles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1989009837A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2287596C1 (ru) * 2005-06-17 2006-11-20 Институт Гороного Дела Дальневосточного Отделения Российской Академии Наук (Статус Государственного Учреждения) Способ доводки черновых золотосодержащих концентратов
WO2023211913A1 (fr) * 2022-04-26 2023-11-02 Derrick Corporation Procédé et appareils de criblage
US12138661B2 (en) 2017-06-06 2024-11-12 Derrick Corporation Method and apparatuses for screening

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB320185A (en) * 1928-08-20 1929-10-10 Diederick Enzlin Improvements in the recovery of precious metals by amalgamation
US2303785A (en) * 1939-04-01 1942-12-01 Ballou John Mck Amalgamation apparatus
AU3374750A (en) * 1950-04-14 1951-03-15 Albert Scheinberg improvements in machinery for use inthe extraction of gold and like metals
US3998629A (en) * 1975-12-22 1976-12-21 Anders Edward O Method for recovering small particles of heavy precious metals by amalgamation
US4032122A (en) * 1975-12-22 1977-06-28 Anders Edward O Method and apparatus for recovering small particles of heavy precious metals
US4494986A (en) * 1981-08-14 1985-01-22 Donald Forsman Gold extracting process and apparatus

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB320185A (en) * 1928-08-20 1929-10-10 Diederick Enzlin Improvements in the recovery of precious metals by amalgamation
US2303785A (en) * 1939-04-01 1942-12-01 Ballou John Mck Amalgamation apparatus
AU3374750A (en) * 1950-04-14 1951-03-15 Albert Scheinberg improvements in machinery for use inthe extraction of gold and like metals
US3998629A (en) * 1975-12-22 1976-12-21 Anders Edward O Method for recovering small particles of heavy precious metals by amalgamation
US4032122A (en) * 1975-12-22 1977-06-28 Anders Edward O Method and apparatus for recovering small particles of heavy precious metals
US4494986A (en) * 1981-08-14 1985-01-22 Donald Forsman Gold extracting process and apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2287596C1 (ru) * 2005-06-17 2006-11-20 Институт Гороного Дела Дальневосточного Отделения Российской Академии Наук (Статус Государственного Учреждения) Способ доводки черновых золотосодержащих концентратов
US12138661B2 (en) 2017-06-06 2024-11-12 Derrick Corporation Method and apparatuses for screening
WO2023211913A1 (fr) * 2022-04-26 2023-11-02 Derrick Corporation Procédé et appareils de criblage

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP6120427B2 (ja) 超微細気泡含有液体を用いる超微細気泡洗浄方法、その装置及び加圧浮上装置
CN111629832B (zh) 浮选线
US3154411A (en) Process and apparatus for the precipitation of copper from dilute acid solutions
AU2019100827A4 (en) Flotation cell
WO1989009837A1 (fr) Procede de recuperation de metaux nobles
RU2672737C2 (ru) Способ и устройство разделения жидкость/твердое вещество, такого как обезвоживание твердых частиц и выщелачивание с механическим перемешиванием
WO2000015856A1 (fr) Procede d'extraction d'or
RU2062797C1 (ru) Линия переработки золотосодержащих флотоконцентратов
US3511488A (en) Ultrasonic copper precipitator
CA2002183A1 (fr) Procede de recuperation de metal precieux
US4913407A (en) Precious metal recovery system
CN1312226A (zh) 逆流式气浮水处理方法及其装置
JP2007196101A (ja) 比重選別装置
CN1046354A (zh) 贵重金属回收
CA2008063C (fr) Procede et appareil pour lessivage hydrometallurgique
CN210457742U (zh) 一种微错流除磷装置
RU235500U1 (ru) Реактор интенсивного цианирования риц 10
US544880A (en) Device for saving valuable and precious metals
US4903899A (en) Separator
JP2000288327A (ja) 液処理装置
CA2001778C (fr) Recipient de sorption comportant un filtre intermediaire
JPS57207596A (en) Fluidized bed type waste water treating device
KR200149548Y1 (ko) 현탁물질 제거장치
CA1318641C (fr) Appareil servant a la recuperation de metaux precieux presents dans le sol et procede mis en oeuvre
JP4308215B2 (ja) 金属及び又は金属化合物の粉状物と粒状物の湿式分級方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BR GB SU US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BF BJ CF CG CM GA ML MR SN TD TG