A simple method for predicting equilibrium composition of leaching systems

A simple method for predicting equilibrium composition of leaching systems in hydrometallurgical processing of ores has been developed with the use of spreadsheet. Based on the minimum Gibbs energy principle, the mathematical basis together with a calculation algorithm is described. Example calculat ions are illustrated for chemical equilibrium of Cu+-CN--H2O systems involv ing fluid and solid species. The calculated results are consistent with tho se reported in the literature. The ability to carry out the calculations wi thin a spreadsheet environment is the main advantage of the proposed method and algorithm. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.