Koen Binnemans, Peter Tom Jones
This position paper introduces the reader to the concept of solvometallurgy, the term used to describe the extraction of metals from ores, industrial process residues, production scrap, and urban waste using non-aqueous solutions. Here, non-aqueous is not used to imply anhydrous, but rather a low water content. The unit operations include solvent leaching, separation of the residue, purification of the leach solution by non-aqueous solvent extraction or ion exchange, and metal recovery by precipitation or electrolysis in non-aqueous electrolytes. Unlike hydrometallurgy, solvometallurgy minimizes water consumption and wastewater generation, combining leaching and solvent extraction into a single step for simplified processing. The use of green solvents is emphasized to ensure sustainability. Solvometallurgy offers advantages, particularly for ores rich in soluble silica, and stands as a complementary approach to pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. Even though its Technology Readiness Level remains low (TRL = 3–4), solvometallurgy presents significant opportunities for research, development, and innovation towards near-zero-waste metallurgical processes with lower energy consumption.
@article{e261c84e-5f72-4dcb-84f0-0ffdb856c3ed,
title={Solvometallurgy: An Emerging Branch of Extractive Metallurgy},
author={Koen Binnemans and Peter Tom Jones},
year={2017},
language={en}
}TY - JOUR TI - Solvometallurgy: An Emerging Branch of Extractive Metallurgy AU - Koen Binnemans AU - Peter Tom Jones PY - 2017 LA - en ER -
P Card, J Canterford
This document presents a collection of papers from the METPLANT 2011 conference focusing on metallurgical plant design and operating strategies. The o
Blair Burwell
The exhaustion of current vanadium sources and the emergence of new applications are driving the need for innovative methods of extraction. The aim of
Mark E. Schlesinger, Matthew J. King
This book presents a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of copper extraction metallurgy. The objective is to provide both a theore
Alain Vignes
Extractive metallurgy is a critical field that encompasses the processes involved in the extraction of valuable metals from their ores. This work serv
Alain Vignes
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of extractive metallurgy, with a specific focus on basic thermodynamics and
Cleophace Ngoie Mpinga
The thesis investigates alternative extraction strategies for platinum group metals (PGMs) from low-grade, high-chromium oxidized ores, which are incr