Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS (Brazil)

​

         Professor Dr. Andréa Moura Bernardes is the leader of the research group from UFRGS. She is a Professor of the Post-Graduate Program in Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (PPGE3M) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).  E‑mail address: amb@ufrgs.br

         The research group led by Prof. Dr. Andréa Bernardes will conduct studies on ion separation by electrodialysis and electro-electrodialysis. The solution coming from the ion‐exchange regeneration step, which mainly contains Sb and Bi in HCl medium, will be submitted to an EED process for separating the hydrochloric acid from the metals.

         Simultaneously with the studies on ion transfer across the electromembranes, the selective separation of Sb and Bi will be also considered. In this case, studies on cyclic voltammetry will be conducted using a rotating disc electrode to obtain preliminary results on the kinetics of the electrodeposition of each species. The results will be useful to select the best operating parameters to perform the EED experiments under different applied current densities.

        The researchers will also evaluate the use of electrodialysis and electro-electrodialysis to treat the pregnant leach solution coming from the leaching of mixed mineral ores. These studies will be carried out considering the best operating parameters obtained previously. Commercial membranes will be used in these studies, in addition to membranes that will be prepared throughout the project by the research group from Feevale University.

      Lastly, the technical and economic viability of the electrodialysis and electro‑electrodialysis applications in different copper processing steps will be evaluated. The best operating parameters will be assessed on pilot plants using synthetic and real industrial solutions. These evaluations on the technical and economic viability will be conducted together with all the parties involved in the project.

​

Feevale University (Brazil)

​

         Professor Dr. Marco Antônio Siqueira Rodrigues is the leader of the research group from Feevale University. He is a Professor of the Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences of Feevale. His projects focus on polymer applications, mainly on the development of polymeric membranes applied in the treatment of wastes and effluents. E-mail address: marcor@feevale.br  

        The research group led by Prof. Dr. Marco Rodrigues will evaluate the production of alternative membranes to the commercial ones. Membranes will be prepared by using ion-exchange resins and PVC. Two preparation methods will be evaluated: the coating method and the solvent casting one. Prior to the electrochemical evaluations, all prepared membranes will be assessed in function of their structural and physical properties, such as water content, ion-exchange capacity, and conductivity.

 

University of Santiago of Chile – USACH (Chile)

 

         Professor Dr. Gerardo Cifuentes Molina is the leader of the research group from USACH. He is a Professor of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the University of Santiago of Chile. His research projects are focused on membrane separation processes to treat solutions mainly from mining industries. E-mail address: gerardo.cifuentes@usach.cl

         The research group led by Prof. Dr. Gerardo Cifuentes, together with Transducto S.A., will be responsible for the initial determination of the chemical composition of solutions generated in real copper processing. Real samples from different stages of copper production of a Chilean company will be analyzed for determining the concentration of Cu, Sb, Bi, As and impurities.

       The researchers will also evaluate the content of antimony to be recycled by evaluating the Sb-flow analysis (MFA) implemented in a real copper production process. The results on the MFA will be evaluated and the results will be applied to the economic analyses of the project.

 

Polytechnic University of València – UPV (Spain)

​

      Professor Dr. Valentín Pérez-Herranz is the leader of the research group from UPV. He is a Professor of the Technical School of Industrial Engineering. His research works are focused on electrochemical evaluations of membrane/electrolyte systems and electrodes. E-mail address: vperez@iqn.upv.es

         The research group led by Prof. Valentín Pérez-Herranz will be responsible for the electrochemical evaluations of the membranes/electrolyte systems present in the electro‑electrodialysis apparatus. The solution evaluated in this stage of the project will come from the ion‑exchange regeneration step and is composed mainly of antimony and bismuth in HCl medium. As this solution will be further submitted to electro‑electrodialysis for separating the HCl from the metals, herein the transport of Cl- ions across the anion‑exchange membrane will be evaluated. The electrochemical evaluations will be conducted via chronopotentiometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the registration of polarization curves. Transport properties, such as the limiting current density, electrical resistances, plateau length and transition time will be determined. Overlimiting transfer phenomena associated with the occurrence of intense concentration polarization at the membrane surface will be also assessed. Different types of membranes will be evaluated: homogeneous, heterogeneous and the prepared ones. These studies will be useful to select the best operating parameters from the point of view of the optimum transport of the anionic species across the anion‑exchange membranes.

​

Transducto S.A. (Chile)

 

        The solutions assessed in our project are based on real samples of copper processing. The samples come from a world leading Chilean copper producer. Transducto S.A is responsible for managing the communication between the Chilean company and the research groups involved in the project. Transducto S.A. also provides the delivery of samples and technical information required for the project development. At the end of the project, Transducto S.A. will be responsible for presenting the technical and economic benefits to the clients, which will allow the application of our outcomes in the industries. Hence, Tranducto S.A. assures the sustainability of the project for all parties.