Development of an Analytical Model for the Extraction of Manganese from Marine Nodules

• Main Authors: Manuel Saldaña, Norman Toro, Jonathan Castillo, Pía Hernández, Emilio Trigueros, Alessandro Navarra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: Metals
• Subjects: Manganese extraction; marine nodules; acid leaching; design of experiments; ordinary differential equations; mathematical modelling
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/9/8/903

Multivariable analytical models provide a descriptive (albeit approximate) mathematical relationship between a set of independent variables and one or more dependent variables. The current work develops an analytical model that extends a design of experiments for the leaching of manganese from marine nodules, using sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) in the presence of iron-containing tailings, which are both by-products of conventional copper extraction. The experiments are configured to address the effect of time, particle size, acid concentration, Fe₂O₃/MnO₂ ratio, stirring speed and temperature, under typical industrial conditions. The recovery of manganese has been modeled using a first order differential equation that accurately fits experimental results, noting that Fe₂O₃/MnO₂ and temperature are the most critical independent variables, while the particle size is the least influential (under typical conditions). This study obtains representative fitting parameters, that can be used to explore the incorporation of Mn recovery from marine nodules, as part of the extended value chain of copper sulfide processing.