Thesis Summary:

In this thesis there is approached the problem that consists in the mathematical modelling of copper heap leaching. The mathematical model is formulated in the context of the macroscopic theory of porous media (isothermal and without mechanical deformation). Specifically, we consider the classical two phase problem, with liquid and gaseous phases, and a transport problem with the following components: sulphuric acid in liquid phase, and copper’s ions in liquid and solid phase. Thus there spread previous works that they consider to be conditions of saturated and not saturated flow. There is assumed that the flow and transport problems are decoupled. The solution of two phase flow problem is approximated applying a numerical scheme that combines the mixed finite element method and finite volume scheme, whereas the solution of transport problem is approximated applying a finite volume scheme combined with a finite element method. In flow and transport models, a convergence analysis is realized. Finally, it’s presented several computational experiments, with realistic parameters from copper industry of Chile.

ISI Publications from the Thesis

Emilio CARIAGA, Fernando CONCHA, Iuliu S. POP, Mauricio SEPúLVEDA: Convergence analysis of a vertex-centered finite volume scheme for a copper heap leaching model. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, vol. 33, 9, pp. 1059-1077, (2010)

Emilio CARIAGA, Fernando CONCHA, Mauricio SEPúLVEDA: Convergence of a MFE-FV method for two phase flow with applications to heap leaching of copper ores. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, vol. 196, 25-28, pp. 2541-2554 (2007)

Emilio CARIAGA, Fernando CONCHA, Mauricio SEPúLVEDA: Flow through porous media with applications to heap leaching of copper ores. Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 111, 2-3, pp. 151-165 (2005)

Other Publications (no ISI)

Emilio CARIAGA, Fernando CONCHA, Mauricio SEPúLVEDA: Transport in leaching heaps: applications of the theory of multiphase flow through porous media. Proceedings IV International Copper Hydrometallurgy Workshop, pp. 255-261, (2007)

Emilio CARIAGA, Fernando CONCHA, Mauricio SEPúLVEDA: Simultaneous modeling of liquid and gaseous phases in heap leaching for copper production. Proc. of the III International Copper Hydrometallurgy Workshop, pp.301-315, (2005)