Metal mining with ELIXORE diluents

ELIXORE : Alphatic diluents dedicated to hydrometallurgy 

Metal extraction diluents

TotalEnergies​ hydrocarbon fluids are used as diluents in the organic phase necessary for leaching (5 to 10% extracting agent and 80 to 90% diluent). They dilute the extraction agent and allow the extracted metal to be transferred through the various steps in the process.

The ELIXORE range offers a comprehensive choice of perfectly inert, colorless and odorless diluents with ultra-low aromatic content.  

ELIXORE Hydrocarbon diluents advantages:

Key Features 

• High flashpoint
• Narrow distillation range
• Low viscosity
• Low pour points
• Ultra low aromatic contents

Each product is tailored to provide the optimal balance between desired level of efficacy (viscosity) and necessary level of operator safety (high flashpoint). 
Our range ensures optimal performance in terms of operator safety, process efficacy and reliability. 

The outstanding properties of our products make them prime choice diluents in the extraction of valuable and sensitive metals such as Copper, Zinc, Cobalt, Nickel, Uranium, Rare Earth Metals and Lithium.  

Key Benefits

Environment Friendly

• Readily biodegradable according to OECD guidelines
• Low Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC) emissions

Unmatched Health Benefits

• Safer for operators on Mixer Settlers
• Not classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR)
• Not classified as a substance with acute or chronic toxicity
• Extremely low vapor pressure ensures very low odor and fume emissions

Performance

• Equivalent or superior performance v/s classical aromatic diluents in terms of:
• Extraction Efficiency
• Average Phase Separation Times
• Maximum metal loading

Less Evaporation Loss

• Lowest evaporation rate among products of same viscosity and flash point range
• Less evaporation → lower diluent consumption → cost savings

Less Crud Formation

• With no aromatics, Elixore is inert to oxidation, thus degradation
• Less degradation → less crud formation → bigger change interval → low operational cost