88
J. F. Pusateri et al.
Increased bleed treatment capacity allowed the Mooresboro team to operate the
SX circuit with the required volume of demineralized water flow to the washing
circuit, which improved physical washing performance. Figure 9 compares F values
in the electrolyte for the original steady state operation (Feb 2015 to Jan 2016) with
the restart project.
Figure 10 compares Ni in electrolyte for the original project start-up, the steady
operation period from February 2015 to January 2016 and the restart project values.
The Ni contamination is ascribed mainly to (a) limitations in bleed treatment capacity,
which limited the ability to add demineralized water for washing and (b) corrosion
of 316 stainless steel components in the cell house, which were replaced in the
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
F (mg/l)
2015 (Feb 2015 to Jan 2016)
2019 (13 Apr to 28 Apr)
Limit
Fig. 9 F in electrolyte
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Ni (μg/l)
2014 Startup 3-Day Ave. (21 May to 30 Jun)
2015 Monthly Ave. (Feb 2015 to Jan 2016)
2019 Restart Daily Ave. (13 Apr to 28 Apr)
Limit
Fig. 10 Ni in electrolyte