Studies on the recovery of gold from spent activated carbon
Abstract
Changes in the thermal oxidation behaviour and other properties of spent activated carbon when milled in a vibratory mill were investigated. It was found that significant influence on the oxidation temperature of the vibration-milled sample was the result of increase in surface area and mechanochemical activation. The rnechanochemical action brought about a transformation of the, microstructure and as a result the vibration-milled sample oxidised completely at a temperature of 450°C compared with a non-- milled sample which burnt above 850°C. The gold was found to be concentrated in the ash which could be leached easily with a recovery of 99.5% from a head value of 2kg/ton.
Description
A thesis submitted to the University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy in Metallurgical Engineering.