Application of Hydrodynamics Using CFD in Evaluating Efficacy of External Loop Air-lift Reactor Biochemical Leaching of Sea Nodules

Abhilash, and Usha, Yenni and Seetharaman, K and Meshram, Pratima and Mehta, K D and Pandey, B D (2021) Application of Hydrodynamics Using CFD in Evaluating Efficacy of External Loop Air-lift Reactor Biochemical Leaching of Sea Nodules. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review .

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Abstract

Biochemical leaching of sea nodules using Bacillus circulans was carried in an external circulation-loop airlift bioreactor. In contrast to the slightly high recovery (92% Cu, 73% Ni, 72% Co, 38% Mn, and 17% Fe) with fine particles (<75 μm) on shake flasks in 25d, the leaching of metals using coarser lumps (1190– 250 μm size fraction) were found to be 76% Cu, 69% Ni, 65% Co, 29% Mn and 12% Fe in the same duration in an air-lift reactor with airflow of 500L min−1. The use of air flow assisted in retaining good metal recoveries with reduced grinding costs in the air lift reactor. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with a multiphase mixture model was used to describe the mass transfer and hydrodynamics vis-à-vis its role in improved leaching efficacy. The leach liquor was treated to eliminate iron, followed by selective extraction of copper by 10% Acorga M5640. The remaining leach liquor with Mn, Co and Ni were separated as respective salts by sulfide/carbonate precipitation.

Item Type:Article
Official URL/DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08827508.2021.1959329
Uncontrolled Keywords:Sea nodules; biochemical leaching; air-lift reactor; CFD modeling; separation
Divisions:Metal Extraction and Forming
ID Code:8400
Deposited By:Dr. Abhilash .
Deposited On:28 Aug 2021 22:01
Last Modified:28 Aug 2021 22:01

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