Simulation of a palladium extraction circuit

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Behaviour of palladium, platinum, copper, chloride anions, hydrogen cations, the l3-hydroxyoxime LIX 84-1 and the primary amine Primene JM-T during the extraction of Pd at the Anglo Platinum Precious Metals Refinery (PMR). The extractions of Pd, Pt and Cu into the organic phase were modelled as first-order reactions, with respect to the concentration of Pd, Pt and Cu in the aqueous phase, respectively. The movement of all other species are based on the stoichiometry of the three extraction reactions. Parameters found from literature and from previous experimental work by Johnson Matthey Technology Centre and Anglo Research (previously the Anglo Platinum Research Centre) generally describe the thermodynamic and kinetic behaviour of Pd extraction. Parameters for Pt and Cu co-extraction have been hypothesised and need to be confirmed through adequate experimental testwork. The model is fully functional and, upon completion of the simulation, all species' concentration profiles are produced. Eight mixers have been modelled as two continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) with counter-current flow, and the concentration profiles are given as functions of the residence time of the two CSTRs. A secondary model has been created to facilitate future validation of the model by mimicking the movement of species in titanium unit cell batch extraction experiments. Both the primary and secondary models are based on identical thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for all reactions involved. Due to the fact that possibly inaccurate parameters were used in the construction of the Pd extraction model, the outputs shown serve to illustrate the value of the simulation model once all unknown parameters have been quantified through adequate experimental work. Keywords: Anglo Platinum, PMR, solvent extraction, kinetics, simulation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University