A model has been developed to predict and estimate the P-O2 and T-dependent
molal solubility, (c(aq))(1), Of oxygen in aqueous solutions containing an
inorganic solute, I. It is based on the concept that (c(aq))(1) may be obt
ained by multiplying the thermodynamics-based P-O2 and T-dependent equation
for the molal solubility of oxygen in pure water, c(aq), by a factor (phi-
factor) that is < 1 and which is functionally dependent only upon the molal
concentration, C-1, of I. The C-1-dependent phi-functions of 21 different
I's have been determined from an analysis of published solubility data. Sub
sequently, the (c(aq))(1)/P-O2 ratios for several solutions, containing sin
gle and multiple I, were predicted for a wide range of T by combining the c
orresponding phi-function with the thermodynamics-based equation for pure w
ater. Tnt: predicted ratios were compared with available published data rel
ating to effects of T. Satisfactory agreement was found between the predict
ed and experimental behavior, thereby validating the general principles of
the model. It is anticipated that the model will be provide a foundation fo
r predicting and estimating oxygen solubility under widely different hydrom
etallurgy leaching conditions, ranging from bio-leaching processes to oxyge
n pressure leaching. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.