Abstract
Within this report, the basic theory of modelling concentrated aqueous solutions based on thermodynamic approach is given. For complex industrial solutions, it is important to take into account the non-ideality of the solutions to gain reliable results with engineering calculations. The well-known Pitzer formalism for describing the activity coefficients in the concentrated aqueous solutions has been used with an extended database of Pitzer interaction parameters ranging from 25°C to 95°C. The database allows for reliable predictive simulations of the major metal cations (in particular Na , K , Ca² , Mg² ; Al³ ,Fe³ , Cu² , Mn² ) that most commonly occur in industrial sulphate, carbonate and chloride solutions. The database can also include solubility data of complex salts and mineral compounds from selected inter-national geochemical databases. The data is used in multicomponent reactor modules, which are connected to modular process modelling software typically used in chemical and process engineering. The application of data is given for selected examples, including
• The leaching process for alkaline (soda) ash
• Neutralisation treatment of acidic mine water (AMD)
• Simulation of a mining water sulfate treatment cycle
• Recovery of rare earth compounds from acidic leachate
Alternative dosage for neutralisation, pH control and solubility controls as well as optional connections in a multi-stage hydrometallurgical plant or within a set of water treatment units can be simulated with fair accuracy. The models provide a fast and inexpensive tool for both troubleshooting and problem solving as well as for developing new economical and environmentally benign approaches for industrial and mine water management.
• The leaching process for alkaline (soda) ash
• Neutralisation treatment of acidic mine water (AMD)
• Simulation of a mining water sulfate treatment cycle
• Recovery of rare earth compounds from acidic leachate
Alternative dosage for neutralisation, pH control and solubility controls as well as optional connections in a multi-stage hydrometallurgical plant or within a set of water treatment units can be simulated with fair accuracy. The models provide a fast and inexpensive tool for both troubleshooting and problem solving as well as for developing new economical and environmentally benign approaches for industrial and mine water management.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Espoo |
| Publisher | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland |
| Number of pages | 85 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-951-38-8620-2 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-951-38-8622-6 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2018 |
| MoE publication type | D4 Published development or research report or study |
Publication series
| Series | VTT Technology |
|---|---|
| Number | 321 |
| ISSN | 2242-1211 |
Keywords
- industrial and mine waters
- sulphate control
- solubility
- process simulation