Numerical simulation of solid-liquid suspension in a slurry electrolysis stirred tank

Slurry electrolysis (SE) is a hydrometallurgical process that has a good potential for application in the extraction of metals from polymetallic complex mines. The particle size (d), impeller diameter (D) and liquid level (H) on the effect of solid-liquid suspension characteristics were investigated numerically, which has been verified by experiments. The results showed that the homogeneity decreased significantly with the increase of particle size. When the homogeneity was ≥ 0.9, the particles reached uniform suspension. The impeller diameter had a great influence on the liquid flow at the upper end of the tank, whereas the homogeneity first increased, and then, tended to be stabilized with the increase of power. When D= T/3, the power required to meet uniform suspension was the smallest, and had the value of 6.28 kW. The higher the liquid level, the worse the homogeneity of the particles, and the lower the power consumption.