堆浸水力学研究前沿:结构表征与模型仿真

Recent advances in heap leaching research: Characterisation and modelling

随着堆浸提铜工艺的推广,堆浸理论研究不断推进。渗流传质作为堆浸水力学过程的主线,是影响矿物浸出速度的关键。当前,矿堆水力学研究的前沿主要集中在矿堆散体结构表征及堆浸渗流传质过程的模拟。首先介绍以CT技术和计算机图像处理技术为核心的矿堆结构表征研究进展,分析这一技术在矿堆结构表征上的局限;其次阐述堆浸水力学过程仿真的发展,分析传统模型存在的问题,着重介绍孔隙尺度堆浸模型的种类和特征,认为孔隙尺度模型是实现堆浸过程精细化、机制透明化的发展趋势。

Theories on heap leaching has advanced over time with widely operated leach heaps,especially copper heaps.The flow and transport comprise the main research line running through the study on heap hydraulics,which is a critical influence on mineral dissolving rate.Currently,ore aggregate characterisation and coupled flow and transport modelling have become a frontier of the hydraulics research.The structure characterisation advances were reviewed by means of computed tomography(CT) and computational image processing,and the defects of both technologies that limit further progress on structure characterisation were analysed.Subsequently,the development of heap leaching models was traced.Limitation of conventional models was revealed,and the newly merged pore-scale modelling was introduced with emphasis on its features.It is believed that pore-scale model that takes advantage of CT geometry promises to be a potential direction for the advance of leaching models to visualise leaching process and illuminate the mechanisms.