Analysis of coupled flow-reaction with heat transfer in heap bioleaching processes

A mathematical model for heap bioleaching is developed to analyze heat transfer, oxygen flow, target ion distribution and oxidation leaching rate in the heap. The model equations are solved with Comsol Multiphysics software. Numerical simulation results show the following facts: Concentration of oxygen is relatively high along the boundary of the slope, and low in the center part where leaching rate is slow. Temperature is relatively low along the slope and reaches the highest along the bottom region near the slope, with difference being more than 6°C. Concentration of target mental ions is the highest in the bottom region near the slope. Oxidation leaching rate is relatively large in the bottom and slope part with a fast reaction rate, and small in the other part with low oxygen concentration.