Modeling and simulation of solid phase extraction for leached ore purification

Development of solid/liquid extraction purification process of valuable elements from leached ores can be hasten or made easier with the use of computer resources to simulate the process. The simulation will allow to find the optimal conditions according to different parameters, without conducting numeral experiments for each change of parameters. The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) developed a code to simulate solid phase extraction (SPE). Literature or batch experiments will give the equilibrium constants characterizing the sorption on the support but also the speciation of each species in the liquid phase required for the code. The Residence Time Distribution (RTD) experiments will be able to characterize the flow within the solid support. To ensure the proper operation of the code, simulation of uranium extraction from complex media with high sulfate concentrations resulting from mining leaching will be compared to experimental extractions data acquired on materials specially developed for this application.