Authors: R. Cooper and W. Slabbert
Chemeca 2005, Brisbane, Australia, 2005
Abstract
Scaling of hydrometallurgical process equipment - without adequate test work, it is difficult to predict if it will occur, and even more difficult to calculate the degree to which it will occur. It’s a problem that costs the hydrometallurgical industry significant amounts of money each year to overcome. However, with some knowledge of the specific process and a little experience, process design enhancements can be made to prevent or minimise the formation of scale, or expedite its removal.
This paper discusses some aspects of the scaling of hydrometallurgical process equipment and divides the subject into two broad categories of i) prevention, and ii) removal, with the former typically being the favoured option. Both categories are discussed with regard to physical and chemical factors.
The authors combine their 30 years of experience in the international hydrometallurgical industry to shed insight into solving or minimizing an ever-present operational problem that is often given insufficient attention during detailed engineering design.
