A Flow-Through Reaction Cell for Studying Minerals Leaching by In-Situ Synchrotron Powder X-ray Diffraction

Abstract

A flow-through reaction cell has been developed for studying minerals leaching by in-situ time-resolved powder X-ray diffraction, allowing for a better understanding of the leaching mechanisms and kinetics. The cell has the capability of independent control of temperature (up to 95 °C) and flow rate (>0.5 mL min−1) for atmospheric pressure leaching. It was successfully tested at the powder diffraction beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. Galena powder was leached in a citrate solution under flow-through condition at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min−1, while diffraction patterns were collected during the entire leaching process, showing rapid galena dissolution without the formation of secondary mineral phases. The flow-through cell can be used to study leaching processes of other ore minerals.