Efficient and Reliable Aeration of Leach Pad
Oxygen is one of several reactants required for complete copper dissolution in leaching operations, particularly bio and chloride leaching. Although a certain amount of oxygen does enter the heap naturally, either dissolved in the solution or through molecular diffusion, it is not sufficient to dissolve the copper fast enough to be economically profitable. Therefore, forced convection is used to artificially inject air. The size and conditions of these systems pose a significant design challenge when it comes to evenly distributing the air during the entire leaching cycle.
In order to address such challenge our company designs hydraulically compensated air injection systems, which provide reliable and efficient aeration through different-sized holes for even air distribution, while our patented Anti-Clogging Belt prevents these openings from being clogged by residue entrained during irrigation.
Field measurements of non-compensated aeration systems (in red) performed by the Biohydro.cl engineering team provide clear evidence of uneven air distribution of up to 100%, thus creating heaps in which less than 50% of their volume is adequately aerated. Whereas, a compensating system designed by Biohydro.cl (in green) ensures even aeration in excess of 90%.