WMC Olympic Dam installs more BATEMAN pulsed columns
The design and supply of a uranium solvent
extraction facility at the Olympic Dam site has been completed under
an Aus$12M lump sum contract for WMC’s Copper Uranium Division.
The new facility is the largest pulsed column uranium extraction facility
in the world and comprises ten BATEMAN pulsed columns and associated
plant.
Excellent extraction can be obtained in a pulsed
column with processes requiring many stages. The process is continuous,
can be fully automated and the extent of dispersion can be controlled
by varying the pulsation rate. The BATEMAN system has the ability to
handle liquids with suspended solids or those which form third phases.
The fact that the process occurs in a closed system reduces the loss
of volatile organic liquids, enhances safety and reduces the risk to
the environment.
This project at Olympic Dam commenced in April 1997 following the successful
commissioning and operation of the first two BATEMAN pulsed columns
at the site early in 1997. It was completed almost two weeks ahead of
the forecast of 49 weeks.
Bateman Kinhill and Bateman Engineering Limited Israel jointly handled
the design and supply, with on-site erection and commissioning scheduled
for later in 1998.
The complete facility was modelled in 3-D using state-of-the-art CADD
technology. This permitted the automatic generation of the piping isometric
and steel work fabrication drawings complete with clash detection checks.
The model was also used to generate a three dimensional “walk through”
video to assist with operator training.
Other hydrometallurgical applications which appear to be well suited
for adaptation to pulsed columns include copper, nickel and cobalt separation
and vanadium extraction. Any industrial solvent extraction process,
however, can potentially be improved using BATEMAN pulsed column technology,
particularly those in which the rate of the exchange reaction is fast.
BATEMAN pulsed columns are offered as integrated systems, including
all peripheral equipment with the civil, structural, instrumentation,
electrical and piping design.
For more information please email BSX@batemanengineering.com
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