Abstract:
Material balance equations were given to describe the adsorption of gold cyanide on activated carbon in either batch or continuous counter-current CIP systems. Kinetic and equilibrium parameters estimated from batch tests were shown to predict the behaviour of a small scale continuous plant accurately. A parametric sensitivity analysis of this model was conducted in order to explain the factors which influence the efficiency of a CIP plant. Insufficient mixing, large diameters of the carbon particles, the presence of competitive adsorbates, high temperature and pH values, insufficient regeneration of the carbon, a deficiency of dissolved oxygen and the presence of insoluble organics and fine slime particles all act to increase the concentration of gold in the barren solution.