Coke-Based Carbon Sorbent: Results of Gold Extraction in Laboratory and Pilot Tests

Abstract

Coke-based carbon sorbent (CBCS) was produced using special coke fines with the following characteristics: ash, 4.5%; iodine adsorption capacity, 52%; specific surface area, 600 m2 g−1; and total pore volume, 0.4 cm3 g−1. Gold adsorption from real production cyanide solutions in batch and column laboratory experiments was studied. The optimum adsorbent/solution ratio was 0.2 g/20 cm3. Sorption equilibrium occurred after 60 min of phase-time contact. The CBCS maximum adsorption capacity for gold was found to be 1.2 mg g−1. Both the Langmiur and Freundlich isotherm models confirmed that gold adsorption by CBCS proceeds favorably, but the Freundlich isotherm best describes the adsorption equilibrium. The CBCS dynamic exchange capacity (100 g t−1) and full dynamic exchange capacity (4600 g t−1) for gold were determined in column tests. It was revealed using SEM that adsorbate was retained in sorbent pores. The possibility of completely eluting gold from CBCS was demonstrated. A CBCS pilot test to recover gold from 200 dm3 of the cyanide solution containing (mg dm−3) 2.6 Au, 0.42 Ag, and 490 Cu was carried out. The total amount of noble metals (Au + Ag) adsorbed was 99.99% and gold ions was 94%. The CBCS maximum adsorption capacity for gold reached 2900 g t−1.