Solvent extraction technology benefits sponsors

By employing sophisticated computational modelling and incorporating new in situ measurements on sponsors’ full-scale operations, the project aims to save SX operators millions of dollars a year.

Current sponsors in Australia, Chile and the US are already seeing direct benefits from the project – something that CSIRO’s Minerals Down Under Flagship, through the Parker CRC for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions, plans to build on.

“The work we have done so far has been of great value to our sponsors,” says project leader, CSIRO’s Dr Dave Robinson. “We will keep fundamental research going, but the immediate future will also include a lot more onsite work and, with that, a lot more immediate benefits for operators.”

The next phase of the project will include more engineering impact studies, alternative designs in the mixer settler compartments, and greater sponsor activities. 

Other stories in this issue of Process include:

• Eco-technology one spin closer to industry use: CSIRO’s dry slag granulation method could be used commercially within two to three years, providing a sustainable solution for treating the hundreds of millions of tonnes of molten slag produced each year.
• Company casts for global market share: ingot casting equipment produced by Victorian business o.d.t. Engineering has increased productivity and ingot quality  thanks to innovations from CSIRO
• Virtual flotation cells stir up industry interest: fluid process engineers have designed a cost-effective method for experimenting with the flotation separation process.

These and other stories can be found in the June issue of Process, which is released today.

A pdf of the magazine is available at: Process magazine (Jun 10)

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