In heap leach operations, metal recovery is fundamentally controlled by the ore's particle size distribution (PSD), which determines mineral exposure characteristics, the rate of leaching reactions, and fluid flow phenomena. A fluent circulation of solution through the heap is important for successful leach plant operation. The pore networks inside 6-in. diameter leach columns from the Rochester mine were scanned by X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) at a voxel size of 100 μm, to estimate the permeability by Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The bottom sections of 6-in. columns had much less porosity and corresponding permeability than the top sections. PSD of the bottom and top sections showed no migration of fines, and gravity compression reduced the bottom sections' permeability. The pore networks inside 4-in. diameter leach columns with controlled PSD were scanned by XCT at a higher resolution with a voxel size of 68 μm. In addition to the large particles (rocks) and pore network, another phase of agglomerated fines from local fluid movement was identified. This phase of agglomerated fines can overwhelm the volume of the pore network inside leach columns and thus reduce the permeability, leading to possible ponding issues in the heap.

中文翻译：

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罗彻斯特矿浸滤柱的 3D 成像，用于通过格子玻尔兹曼方法模拟孔隙网络特征和渗透率


在堆浸作业中，金属回收率从根本上受矿石粒度分布 (PSD) 控制，该分布决定矿物暴露特性、浸出反应速率和流体流动现象。溶液在堆中的流畅循环对于浸出厂的成功运行非常重要。 6 英寸内的孔隙网络。通过 X 射线计算机断层扫描 (XCT) 以 100 μm 的体素大小对罗切斯特矿的直径浸出柱进行扫描，以通过格子玻尔兹曼法 (LBM) 估算渗透率。 6 英寸的底部部分。柱的孔隙率和相应的渗透率比顶部部分低得多。底部和顶部部分的 PSD 显示没有细粉迁移，重力压缩降低了底部部分的渗透性。 4 英寸内的孔隙网络。通过 XCT 以更高分辨率扫描具有受控 PSD 的直径浸出柱，体素尺寸为 68 μm。除了大颗粒（岩石）和孔隙网络之外，还发现了来自局部流体运动的团聚细粉的另一相。这一阶段的团聚细粉会淹没浸出柱内孔隙网络的体积，从而降低渗透性，导致堆中可能出现积水问题。