Diseño y construcción de un equipo de lixiviación para el laboratorio de mineralogía en la Facultad de Ciencias

Abstract

The Escuela Superior Politécnica of Chimborazo does not have a leaching equipment for the hydrometallurgical extraction therefore, the existing pilot plant for obtaining metals is not adequate to enhance the quality of the research projects developed by teachers, researchers and students within the faculty. The objective of the present work was to design and build a leaching equipment for the mineralogy laboratory of the Faculty of Sciences of the ESPOCH. The methodology implemented focuses on a bibliographic review of equipment suitable for the leaching process of metals, evaluating the optimal characteristics for its use. Subsequently, the corresponding engineering calculations were carried out, as well as the creation of drawings and its construction in carbon steel A-36 and stainless steel A316, presenting a total volume of 50 liters of which 40 liters are used for its operation with a maximum sample capacity of 5 kg. Through this methodology, the efficiency of the leaching process in the equipment was 92.23%, releasing 448.9 g of Cu. in the form of sulfate as compared to the 486.28 g of Cu. present in the CuO, with a Cu recovery percentage of 73.71%, which means the recovery of 448.9 g of Cu as compared to the 609 g of CuO present in the initial chalcopyrite ore. In conclusion, due to the leaching properties and the conditions of the ore, in order to generate a strong separation of the material of interest, it is necessary to work at least at 40% capacity. Finally, it is concluded that the equipment complies with all the design factors indicated, but it is advisable to read the manuals to avoid damage during its use and to periodically perform preventive maintenance on the equipment.