Reactive fluid flow (RFF), its hydrodynamic modeling and process controlling in cleaner production of copper sulfides bioleaching

Abstract

As one of key cleaner production methods, heap bioleaching of copper relies on leaching solution to extract valuable copper ions from agglomerations, crushed ores, waste rocks of low-grade copper sulfides, which is a complex reaction system with the existence of thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical-biological (THMCB) multi-physics field and multi-phase (gas-solid-liquid) coupling. In this porous bio-heap, the reactive fluid flow (RFF), regarded as the pivotal media of heat transfer, ionic exchange, and microbial proliferation, is heavily affected by THMCB coupling, therefore influencing the bioleaching efficiency. Further, the undesirable lower leaching efficiency and heavy metallic ions pollution commonly appeared due to misunderstanding and out-of-control of RFF. The systematic and overall reviews focusing on REF RFF and THMCB are still lacking and urgently needed. This review scrutinized the current research landscape in understanding the RFF behavior and its interacted responses to THMCB coupling. It specifically focused on visualization of the RFF using macro-/meso-/micro-scale undisturbed detection. In addition, the description of RFF via mathematical model and 3D/2D simulation was summarized, and the intervention of RFF using THMCB amelioration and controlling was critically reviewed. This paper provides insights into the RFF in porous reaction systems and guidance to efficient industrial heap operations theoretically.