Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents

In in situ leaching, fine particles can be stripped and transported with the leach solution, significantly altering the particle size distribution and pore structure of each layer of the rare earth ore body. In this study, water and magnesium sulfate were used as leaching agents. Based on indoor col...

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Main Authors: Yunzhang Rao, Jiazheng Wan, Shujun Tan, Zhihua Yang, Guozhu Rao, Qiang Huang, Yangjun Xie, Qiande Lai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/396
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author Yunzhang Rao
Jiazheng Wan
Shujun Tan
Zhihua Yang
Guozhu Rao
Qiang Huang
Yangjun Xie
Qiande Lai
author_facet Yunzhang Rao
Jiazheng Wan
Shujun Tan
Zhihua Yang
Guozhu Rao
Qiang Huang
Yangjun Xie
Qiande Lai
author_sort Yunzhang Rao
collection DOAJ
description In in situ leaching, fine particles can be stripped and transported with the leach solution, significantly altering the particle size distribution and pore structure of each layer of the rare earth ore body. In this study, water and magnesium sulfate were used as leaching agents. Based on indoor column leaching experiments, particle gradation experiments, and pore structure tests, this study investigates and analyzes the patterns of particle migration and changes in pore structure in rare earth ores with varying fine particle contents under leaching conditions. The results indicate that during the leaching process, the degree of change in particle gradation follows the order of upper layer > middle layer > lower layer. As the depth increases, the soil becomes denser, leading to reduced permeability, a slower seepage rate of the leaching solution, and a higher fine particle content, making the effect more pronounced. During magnesium sulfate leaching, the overall trend of porosity in the rare earth ore structure initially increases and then decreases. Additionally, a higher fine particle content corresponds to higher porosity. In the early and late stages of leaching, pore size changes involve the transformation of larger pores into smaller ones, followed by the conversion of smaller pores into larger ones. Moreover, the higher the fine particle content, the greater the degree of transformation between the pore sizes.
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spelling doaj-art-6a50bd0d2fe34bcc84d56bfd2ef04e252025-08-20T02:18:09ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-04-0115439610.3390/met15040396Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle ContentsYunzhang Rao0Jiazheng Wan1Shujun Tan2Zhihua Yang3Guozhu Rao4Qiang Huang5Yangjun Xie6Qiande Lai7School of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaJiangxi Provincial Geological Bureau Nonferrous Geological Brigade, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaSchool of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environment Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, ChinaIn in situ leaching, fine particles can be stripped and transported with the leach solution, significantly altering the particle size distribution and pore structure of each layer of the rare earth ore body. In this study, water and magnesium sulfate were used as leaching agents. Based on indoor column leaching experiments, particle gradation experiments, and pore structure tests, this study investigates and analyzes the patterns of particle migration and changes in pore structure in rare earth ores with varying fine particle contents under leaching conditions. The results indicate that during the leaching process, the degree of change in particle gradation follows the order of upper layer > middle layer > lower layer. As the depth increases, the soil becomes denser, leading to reduced permeability, a slower seepage rate of the leaching solution, and a higher fine particle content, making the effect more pronounced. During magnesium sulfate leaching, the overall trend of porosity in the rare earth ore structure initially increases and then decreases. Additionally, a higher fine particle content corresponds to higher porosity. In the early and late stages of leaching, pore size changes involve the transformation of larger pores into smaller ones, followed by the conversion of smaller pores into larger ones. Moreover, the higher the fine particle content, the greater the degree of transformation between the pore sizes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/396ionic rare earth orefine particle contentfractal dimensionparticle migrationpore structure evolution
spellingShingle Yunzhang Rao
Jiazheng Wan
Shujun Tan
Zhihua Yang
Guozhu Rao
Qiang Huang
Yangjun Xie
Qiande Lai
Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents
Metals
ionic rare earth ore
fine particle content
fractal dimension
particle migration
pore structure evolution
title Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents
title_full Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents
title_fullStr Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents
title_short Effect of Leaching on Particle Migration and Pore Structure of Ionic Rare Earth Ores with Different Fine Particle Contents
title_sort effect of leaching on particle migration and pore structure of ionic rare earth ores with different fine particle contents
topic ionic rare earth ore
fine particle content
fractal dimension
particle migration
pore structure evolution
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/396
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