3. Lab-scale leaching studies

During a lab-scale leaching study, the optimal leaching process is developed for the desired application. Depending on the type of material and the targeted metals, various lixiviants are screened and the best performing lixiviant is selected. Both commercially available and newly synthesized lixiviants can be tested. The leaching performance is evaluated by considering the leaching percentage and selectivity. The stability and reusability of the lixiviant are also considered. Subsequently, all leaching parameters are optimised, including liquid-to-solid ratio, lixiviant concentration, time, temperature and shaking speed.

Available equipment: thermoshakers, magnetic stirring plates with heating blocks, centrifuge, ICP-OES, microwave digester, TXRF