An analytical model approach to heap lea

This paper presents analytical models describing heap leaching. The models are based on the Bernoulli equation, using constitutive equations for different levels, particles, and heaps, to identify the leaching times characteristic of each scale of operation. Since the models are simple in form they can be applied to analytical problems, optimization, scaling, and design. Also, the form in which these models are designed can be used for consideration of other levels or phenomena according to the problem at hand. Of the family of models, the one having first order kinetics has been applied in different situations. The model was first compared with experimental values obtained for different heights of r=2; 2.5 and 3, where r is the particle radius [cm]. The fit was carried out following a procedure similar to that previously indicated, but now using MS-Excel for carrying out the fit. Based on the nature of Eq. (22), the fit was carried out in several steps; it was first assumed that α = 0.5 and then the other parameters were fitted. In a second step, values for the parameters were assumed constant, only fitting α. This procedure was repeated until obtaining parameters which did not change in the iterations. In general, only three to six iterations were required. To observe the capacity for interpolation of the model, the parameters were fitted using data with r = 2 and 3 and then observing the predictive capacity with r = 2.5.