SIMULATION OF HYDRODYNAMICS AND INHIBITOR CONSUMPTION IN HYDROMETALLURGICAL PLANTS

Mathematical models are presented for the consumption of the inhibitors of electrocrystallization in hydrometallurgical plants involved with the copper electrorefining and zinc electrowinning. Continuously-stirred tank reactors (CSTR) and plug flow reactors (PFR) in which first order chemical and electrochemical reactions take place are used in these models. The time dependent behaviours of the industrial plants are predicted. Tests with metallic tracers show the validity of the models. Possible uses in electrocrystallization studies are described. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.