JOURNAL PAPER

Solvent extraction design consideration for the Tati Activox^® plant

E. Robles^I; I. Cronje^I; G. Nel^II

^IHatch Africa (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
^IINorilsk Nickel Africa (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

SYNOPSIS

The Tati Activox^® Project (TA^®P) is the first step towards the implementation of the Norilsk Nickel Activox^®process. The ultra fine grinding (UFG) and autoclave pressure leach process conditions are the heart of the Activox^®patent. Low grade base metal sulphide concentrates are leached in the process to recover the base metals and to produce LME grade nickel and copper cathodes and cobalt carbonates. The downstream processing of the metal-containing liquor produced by this process includes solvent extraction circuits to extract and concentrate metal-rich solutions, before the various final products are obtained.
This paper gives an overview of many of the relevant design aspects taken into consideration in the design of the Tati Activox^®solvent extraction circuits. It addresses key design elements related to leach process conditions such as scaling, materials selection for corrosive solutions, pH control, crud formation and treatment, multiple SX trains designed to prevent organic cross-contamination, and design aspects related to the mitigation of fire risks.

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