Process Feedstock
NaHS Precipitation Unit
Adsorption Unit
Desorption Unit
Diffusion Dialysis Unit
Second Precipitation
Dissolution
Crystallization
Simulation Module

Provide all necessary inputs to run a mock simulation of the PURGES process. Once executed, performance indicators and mass balance information will be displayed.

PURGES Process Overview

The PURGES process acts on the mining effluent, which contains interesting concentrations of Co. In the first step, through a process of precipitation and subsequent filtration, the impurities (CuS, ZnS, Fe(OH)3) would be removed, part of the Co is also precipitated as CoS, but this is recirculated so as not to lose it, then any presence of sulfide that has not precipitated is eliminated to protect the resin by means of an oxidation reactor. The cobalt is then concentrated by adsorption and subsequent desorption with acid, followed by a concentration of Co from the desorption stream through a diffusive process where sulfuric acid is recycled. As subsequent steps we have precipitation and subsequent dissolution where what is sought in these steps is to obtain the CoSO4 dissolved in the minimum amount of acid possible, thus saving energy in the last step which is crystallization where we obtain the CoSO4 crystals.