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Lab-scale equipment

The SOLVOMET centre is well equipped to perform all relevant solvometallurgical lab-scale studies, ranging from (1) pretreatment of solid materials, (2) solvoleaching and (3) solvent extraction, to (4) ion-echange chromatography.

1. Pretreatment of solid materials

 2. Lab-scale leaching studies
Solid materials, sludges and suspensions are fully characterised and pretreated to allow further processing. During a lab-scale leaching study, the optimal leaching process is developed for the desired application. All leaching parameters are optimised, including liquid-to-solid ratio, lixiviant concentration, time, temperature and shaking speed.
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3. Liquid-liquid solvent extraction studies

 4. Lab-scale ion-exchange chromatography studies
Lab-scale solvent extraction studies focus on the development of a solvent extraction process to selectively separate targeted metals ions from a feed solution, for instance produced during a previous leaching study. SOLVOMET focuses on non-aqueous solvent extraction systems Lab-scale ion-exchange chromatography studies allow the design of a metal-separation process using ion-exchange resins, which are mostly suitable for the selective valorisation of various diluted streams and solutions
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Welcome to SOLVOMET

SOLVOMET is KU Leuven’s Centre for Solvometallurgy. SOLVOMET’s mission is to support its industrial and RTD partners in the conceptual and practical development of more sustainable solvometallurgical separation processes and new mining chemicals, which are subsequently tested using state-of-the-art lab-scale and mini pilot-scale experimental facilities.

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