Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles

Bao-hua Yang; Ai-xiang Wu; Guillermo A. Narsilio; Xiu-xiu Miao; Shu-yue Wu

doi:10.1007/s12613-017-1484-4

Volume 24 Issue 9

Sep. 2017

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2017 > 24(9): 965-973

Bao-hua Yang, Ai-xiang Wu, Guillermo A. Narsilio, Xiu-xiu Miao, and Shu-yue Wu, Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 9, pp. 965-973. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1484-4

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Bao-hua Yang, Ai-xiang Wu, Guillermo A. Narsilio, Xiu-xiu Miao, and Shu-yue Wu, Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 9, pp. 965-973. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-017-1484-4

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Research Article

Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles

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Corresponding author:
Ai-xiang Wu E-mail: wuaixiang@126.com
Received: 24 November 2016; Revised: 21 March 2017; Accepted: 23 March 2017

Abstract

Abstract

Mineral dissemination and pore space distribution in ore particles are important features that influence heap leaching performance. To quantify the mineral dissemination and pore space distribution of an ore particle, a cylindrical copper oxide ore sample (φ4.6 mm×5.6 mm) was scanned using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT), a nondestructive imaging technology, at a spatial resolution of 4.85 μm. Combined with three-dimensional (3D) image analysis techniques, the main mineral phases and pore space were segmented and the volume fraction of each phase was calculated. In addition, the mass fraction of each mineral phase was estimated and the result was validated with that obtained using traditional techniques. Furthermore, the pore phase features, including the pore size distribution, pore surface area, pore fractal dimension, pore centerline, and the pore connectivity, were investigated quantitatively. The pore space analysis results indicate that the pore size distribution closely fits a log-normal distribution and that the pore space morphology is complicated, with a large surface area and low connectivity. This study demonstrates that the combination of HRXCT and 3D image analysis is an effective tool for acquiring 3D mineralogical and pore structural data.
- high-resolution X-ray computed tomography;
- 3D image analysis;
- ore particles;
- mineral dissemination;
- pore space

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