HYDROMETALLURGY SYSTEMS

​

"Scientific Process Design – High Recovery – Industrial Reliability"

 

WHAT IS HYDROMETALLURGY?

Hydrometallurgy is an extractive metallurgy method based on the dissolution, purification, and recovery of metals using aqueous solutions.
The process involves the controlled chemical leaching of ores, concentrates, or industrial wastes, followed by the selective separation and recovery of the target metal.

Application Areas:
Copper (Cu), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Rare Earth Elements (REE), industrial waste and slag recovery.

 

HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS STAGES

​

1. Leaching
Dissolution of the ore using an appropriate reagent under controlled chemical conditions.

Types of leaching:
• Acid leaching (H₂SO₄, HCl, etc.)
• Alkaline leaching (NaOH, etc.)
• Cyanide leaching (for Au/Ag)
• Pressure leaching (Autoclave)
• Heap leaching
• Agitated tank leaching

Design parameters:
• % solids
• pH
• Eh (redox potential)
• Temperature
• Agitation intensity
• Reagent consumption

 

2. Solid–Liquid Separation
After leaching, the pregnant solution must be separated from the solid residue.

Equipment:
• Thickeners
• Filter press
• Vacuum filters
• CCD (Counter Current Decantation) systems

 

3. Solution Purification
Removal of undesired ions to improve metal selectivity and product purity.

Methods:
• Precipitation
• Solvent Extraction (SX)
• Ion exchange resins
• Activated carbon adsorption

 

4. Metal Recovery
Final recovery of the dissolved metal from solution.

Main methods:
• Electrowinning
• Cementation
• Crystallization
• Gas reduction

 

ADVANTAGES OF HYDROMETALLURGY

• Low temperature operation compared to pyrometallurgy
• Reduced energy consumption
• Lower atmospheric emissions
• Economic treatment of low-grade ores
• Suitable for waste and secondary resource recovery
• Modular and scalable plant design

 

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN CRITERIA

• Mass and energy balance calculations
• Reagent consumption optimization
• Corrosion-resistant material selection
• Process instrumentation (pH, ORP, flow rate, density)
• Environmental compliance
• Neutralization and effluent treatment systems