Prototype for Critical Metals Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Hatch Ltd. is a global multidisciplinary consultancy company that provides engineering and business knowledge within the metals, energy and infrastructure sectors. The project proposes constructing a scaled-down, modular proof-of-concept prototype enabling extensive testing and validation studies for liquid-liquid extraction of critical minerals and metals. The design and construction of a custom-made mixer and settler unit targets the following outcomes for safe and sustainable extraction: improve mixing performance, minimize separation time, reduce plant footprint, increase efficiencies (i.e. use less organic solvents and lower capital/operational costs), improve environmental impact and safety. Key elements of proposed project are: 1) design and construction of a prototype bench-scale unit which enables exploration of different types of in-line mixers and rapid experimental progression, 2) design and construction of a scaled-down conventional mixer-settler unit to demonstrate the key benefits of the prototype design, and 3) an integrated droplet size testing system and analysis protocol for in-line characterization of extracted products. These enhanced capabilities will enable definitive results regarding the advantages of innovative approaches to metals extraction and will pave the way to the scaled-up unit and comparative validation in the later stage of the project.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anita Usas Neving

Student:

Partner:

Hatch Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Program: