Four BATEMAN pulsed columns at Western Minerals Technology's pilot plant facility.

Pulsed column pilot plants in Australia

Bateman Brown & Root Asia Pacific (BB&R) in conjunction with Western Minerals Technology Pty Ltd and Ammtec Ltd is establishing two pulsed column pilot plant facilities in Perth, Western Australia.

These test facilities will enable clients to compare the advantages offered by the BATEMAN pulsed columns over mixer settlers for solvent extraction processes. They will also enable BATEMAN to provide accurate capital and operating costs for full size industrial columns up to three meters in diameter.

During the past two months tests on the extraction of cobalt and nickel have been conducted with impressive results on the four pilot columns (two 100 mm and two 80 mm diameter) at Western Minerals Technology. By March 1999 Ammtec Ltd will be able to conduct test-work using either a 40 mm all glass pulsed column installed at its Perth laboratory or a transportable 100 mm fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) column for on-site studies.

The decision to install these pilot plants follows the successful commissioning and operation of the BATEMAN pulsed columns for uranium extraction at WMC Pty Ltd’s Olympic Dam operation which has engendered a growing interest in Australia in this superior solvent extraction technology.

For more details email BSX@batemanengineering.com

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