Mining and Mineral Processing

PCI onsite oxygen generators are ideally suited to mining applications.

Mining and Mineral Processing

Our oxygen generation units provide high purity oxygen and will vary based upon the needs of the operation. PCI also works with many of the injector equipment companies so that the most efficient systems are installed at the customer’s site.

Oxygen Applications in Mining and Mineral Processing Industries:

  • Gold, Silver, and Zinc Bio Leaching
    • Increases metal recovery.
    • Increases diluted oxygen in stirred tank reactors.
    • Reduces the energy consumption for the system.
    • Removes nitrogen present in the air, useless for the process.
    • Reduces residence time per batch.
    • Short-term return on investment.
  • Cyanide Destruction
  • Process Wastewater Treatment
  • Oxygen Enrichment in High Altitude Mining Camps

High levels of dissolved oxygen are essential to the gold/silver mining industry’s leaching process.

The most important area where oxygen can be used to improve productivity and save energy in a gold or silver mine is the leaching circuit (example below).

4Au(s) + 8NaCN(aq) + O2 + 2H2O ⇒ 4NaAu(CN)2(aq) + 4NaOH(aq)

diagram describing mining and mineral recovery process

  • Gold dissolution by cyanide requires oxygen.
  • Rate of gold dissolution is directly proportional to the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the pulp.

Depending on the availability of air or oxygen, air or oxygen injection is more economical than adding calcium or hydrogen peroxide to increase slurry DO. Oxygen consumption rates vary drastically with the ore feed sulfur content.

Three common methods of increasing DO levels include peroxide, air injection, or oxygen injection. For example, calcium or hydrogen peroxide may be added which significantly increases slurry DO but this method has a very high operating cost. Air or oxygen injection is more economical depending on the availability of the air or oxygen. Oxygen consumption rates vary drastically with the ore feed sulfur content.


OXYGEN GENERATOR MODELS

MODEL DESCRIPTION FLOW PRESSURE PURITY
DOCS 80 208V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 220V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 80 lpm 20-100 psig 93% +/- 3%
DOCS 200 460V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 380V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 200 lpm 20-100 psig 93% +/- 3%
DOCS 500 460V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 380V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 500 lpm 20-100 psig 93% +/- 3%
DOCS 1500 460V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 380V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 1500 lpm 3-12 psig 93% +/- 3%
DOCS 1500 Booster 460V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 380V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 1500 lpm 20-100 psig 93% +/- 3%
DOCS 5000 460V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 380V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 5000 lpm 3-12 psig 93% +/- 3%
DOCS 5000 Booster 460V / 3-Phase / 60Hz or 380V / 3-Phase / 50Hz 5000 lpm 20-100 psig 93% +/- 3%

Quick Contact

  • Hidden
  • Hidden