Extraction processes thermodynamic description

The process of leaching is shown in Fig. 6.2-2. The thermodynamic description is fully equivalent to solvent extraction. The raffinate phase lies on the residuum line... 

Once the energy minima and the corresponding transition states have been located, then we obtain a potential energy profile from which we can extract the reaction energy (AE) and the energy barrier(s) (A ). It is important to remark that these potential energies are only valid for one molecule and not for an ensemble of molecules, as it is the case in a real reaction. Thus, if we want to calculate a thermodynamic property and compare its value with the experimental one, we have to use statistical thermodynamics in order to estimate this thermodynamic property for the whole ensemble of molecules. This is a lengthy process and thus, it will not be discussed here. However, if you have further interest in it, there are excellent books on statistical mechanics where you can find a detailed description of it [2 ]. 

Other definitions include Fontana s description that corrosion is the extractive metallurgy in reverse, which is expected since metals thermodynamically are less stable in their elemental forms than in their compound forms as ores. Fontana states that it is not possible to reverse fundamental laws of thermodynamics to avoid corrosion process however, he also states that much can be done to reduce its rate to acceptable levels as long as it is done in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. 

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