Leaching versus extraction

Because of cost factors, solvent extraction applied to large scale hydrometallurgical processes, such as the recovery of copper from acidic ore leach solutions, is carried out with the most selective reagent for e.g., copper versus iron, which is not itself a liquid solvent, in a petroleum diluent that confers on the mixture the desired physical properties. For the particular case of copper recovery, commercial hydroxyoxime reagents have been used on a very large scale, but their discussion is outside the scope of this book. 

Typical design of an industrial leaching system looks at the extraction rate versus time and power level and determines the optimum combination of tank size and mixer horsepower in terms of return on the product leached. 

Ultrasound-assisted extraction versus microwave-assisted leaching... 

FIGURE 10.10-2 Log (Y /MXJ versus f and fl when using upflow of sol me-free water (o leach infused sucrose from 4.67 min diameter, porous aluoiian spheres in a bed initially filled with extract in equilibrium with the spheres. 

---