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Modeling, Simulation, and Thermodynamic parameters: Nonlinear Studies of Co, Ni, and Cu Leaching processes |
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PP: 111-118 |
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Author(s) |
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E. Abd El Gawad,
R. M. Attia,
R. S. Abd El Aziz,
N. A. Kawady,
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Abstract |
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The leaching of Co, Ni, and Cu isotherms, kinetic modeling approaches, and thermodynamics features have been
studied mathematically through the sulfuric acid chemical leaching process by solving the nonlinear equations using the
MATLAB code. The chemical characterization of the ore sample was recorded as Al2O3(27%) > SiO2 (13.5%) > Fe2O3
(12.3%) > MnO (8.4%) > CaO (6.5%) > MgO (4.7%), in addition to, Co, Ni, and Cu were assaying 1000, 730 and 1900
ppm, respectively. The effects of some parameters such as grain size, solid/liquid ratio, sulfuric acid concentration, contact
time, and absolute temperature were investigated. The physical phenomena of the leaching process were determined by the
shrinking core model which indicated that the particle size and the responding nucleus of metal ions decreased
simultaneously; also, the dissolution rate of the reaction was identified as solid diffusion or mixed between chemical and
solid for Cu ions and film diffusion reaction for both Co and Ni ions. The activation energy in the leaching process was
evaluated to be 31.20, 15.02, and 13.31 kJ/mol for Co, Ni, and Cu respectively which denoted that the sulfuric acid
leaching process was controlled by interfacial chemical reaction. Finally, temperature has a significant impact on the
leaching process according to thermodynamic studies. The applied thermodynamic model called the floatotherm model
including the Van’t Hoff equation described the leaching process for Co, Ni, and Cu as a spontaneous reaction with an
endothermic nature. |
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