A mathematical model for heap bioleaching is developed to analyze heat transfer, oxygen flow, target ion distribution and oxidation leaching rate in the heap. The model equations are solved with Comsol Multiphysics software. Numerical simulation results show the following facts： Concentration of oxygen is relatively high along the boundary of the slope, and low in the center part where leaching rate is slow. Temper- ature is relatively low along the slope and reaches the highest along the bottom region near the slope, with difference being more than 6℃. Concentration of target mental ions is the highest in the bottom region near the slope. Oxidation leaching rate is relatively large in the bottom and slope part with a fast reaction rate, and small in the other part with low oxygen concentration.
A mathematical model, accounting for the sulfuric acid and ferric ions diffusion and the copper sulfide mineral leaching process, was developed for an ore particle by considering its porous structure. It was simulated with the simulation tool COMSOL Multiphysics. The simulation results show that the highest acid and ferric concentrations near the particle surface are apparent, while the concentrations in the central particle increase slightly as the less-porous ore core with low permeability prevents the oxidation from penetrating. The extraction of the mineral near the particle surface is the maximum, mainly because of ample sulfuric acid, ferric ions, bacteria, and oxygen available for the leaching process. Because of low oxidation concentration in the central part of the particle, the reaction rate and copper sulphide conversion are small. The simulation shows good agreement with the experimental results.
Sheng-hua YinAi-xiang WuShao-yong WangHong-jiang Wang
