Increasing Heap Temperature

The predominant environmental conditions near bioleaching operations prevent heaps from reaching the temperature required by bacteria to thrive, thus hindering recovery kinetics and, consequently, the effectiveness of the process taking place inside this bioreactor. Although this effect tends to be more noticeable in biochemical operations, it also affects strictly chemical operations, such as acid or chloride oxide leaching.

In 1997 we developed our thermal lining FilmTherm2, which eventually became an industry standard for covering the heap top in order to cost-effectively reduce heat loss attributed to evaporation and radiation at night.

The subsequent development of FilmTherm2+padding (patent pending), which also reduces convective heat loss, has allowed for additional temperature increases. Yet another development is the improved fastening system used to attach mains and debris collection pipes (patent pending) in order to minimize displacement.

This solution has yet another advantage, i.e., it minimizes water loss due to evaporation and dripper sulfation.