Apparatus, systems and methods for in situ measurement of an oxidation / reduction potential and pH of a solution

Abstract

Methods for in situ measurement of an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and pH of a solution comprising iron are provided. The methods comprise measuring a kinetic parameter at an electrode surface of an electrode system comprising a working electrode, a counter electrode and a pseudo-reference electrode, wherein the kinetic parameter is associated with ferric reduction or both ferric reduction and ferrous oxidation and comparing the kinetic parameter to calibration data for the electrode system to determine the ORP and pH of the solution. Also provided are apparatus and systems for in situ measurement of an ORP and pH of a solution comprising iron. The apparatus and systems comprise an electrode system comprising a working electrode, a counter electrode and a pseudo-reference electrode and a detector for measuring a kinetic parameter at an electrode surface of the electrode system.

Claims

1. A method for in situ measurement of an oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) of a solution comprising iron, the method comprising: measuring a kinetic parameter at an electrode surface of an electrode system comprising a working electrode, a counter electrode and a pseudo-reference electrode, wherein the kinetic parameter is associated with ferric reduction or both ferric reduction and ferrous oxidation; and comparing the kinetic parameter to ORP calibration data for the electrode system to determine the ORP of the solution, wherein the ORP calibration data is obtained by measuring at least two calibration solutions, each of the at least two calibration solutions comprising ferric and ferrous ions with different ratios of ferric to ferrous ions, wherein for each of the at least two calibration solutions is measured: (a) an ORP of each calibration solution with a reference electrode, and (b) the kinetic parameter at the electrode surface of the electrode system, and wherein the ORP of the solution corresponds to an ORP value derived from the ORP calibration data for the same kinetic parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the kinetic parameter is current.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein measuring the current comprises imposing a constant cathodic overpotential on the working electrode.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein measuring the current comprises: (a) imposing an anodic overpotential followed by a cathodic overpotential on the working electrode and measuring a ratio of an anodic current to a cathodic current; or (b) imposing a cathodic overpotential followed by an anodic overpotential on the working electrode and measuring a ratio of a cathodic current to an anodic current.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the kinetic parameter is charge transfer resistance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference electrode for measuring the ORP of each calibration solution is an external pressure balanced reference electrode (EPBRE) or a flow through reference electrode (FTRE).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the working electrode, the counter electrode and the pseudo-reference electrode each independently comprise a platinum, a gold, a carbon, a palladium or an iridium sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the working electrode, the counter electrode and the pseudo-reference electrode each comprise a platinum wire sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a total soluble iron concentration in the solution using the ORP of the solution.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating an extent of sulphide oxidation in the solution using the ORP of the solution.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution is a slurry comprising iron.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution is a slurry from a pressure oxidation process.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution is at a temperature between about 25° C. and about 230° C.

14. A method for in situ measurement of a pH of a solution comprising iron, the method comprising: measuring a kinetic parameter at an electrode surface of an electrode system comprising a working electrode, a counter electrode and a pseudo-reference electrode, wherein the kinetic parameter is associated with ferric reduction or both ferric reduction and ferrous oxidation; and comparing the kinetic parameter to pH calibration data for the electrode system to determine the pH of the solution, wherein the pH calibration data is obtained by measuring at least two calibration solutions, wherein each of the at least two calibration solutions comprises ferric and ferrous ions and sulphuric acid with the same ratio of ferric to ferrous ions and different sulphuric acid concentrations, wherein for each calibration solution is measured: (a) pH, and (b) the kinetic parameter at the electrode surface of the electrode system at a potential where the kinetic parameter is dependent on a concentration of hydrogen ions in each calibration solution, wherein the pH of the solution corresponds to a pH value derived from the pH calibration data for the same kinetic parameter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the kinetic parameter is current.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein measuring the current comprises imposing a constant cathodic overpotential on the working electrode.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein measuring the current comprises: (a) imposing an anodic overpotential followed by a cathodic overpotential on the working electrode and measuring a ratio of an anodic current to a cathodic current; or (b) imposing a cathodic overpotential followed by an anodic overpotential on the working electrode and measuring a ratio of a cathodic current to an anodic current.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the reference electrode for measuring the pH of each calibration solution is an external pressure balanced reference electrode (EPBRE) or a flow through reference electrode (FTRE).

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the working electrode, the counter electrode and the pseudo-reference electrode each independently comprise a platinum, a gold, a carbon, a palladium or an iridium sensor.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the working electrode, the counter electrode and the pseudo-reference electrode each comprise a platinum wire sensor.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the solution is a slurry comprising iron.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the solution is a slurry from a pressure oxidation process.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the solution is at a temperature between about 25° C. and about 230° C.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the kinetic parameter is charge transfer resistance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein, wherein the three platinum electrodes serve individually as a working (or sensing) electrode, counter electrode and pseudo reference electrode, which are then mounted in high temperature, chemically resistant epoxy and housed in a titanium tube;

(3) FIG. 2 shows theoretical variation of the current density and associated potential on a surface of a platinum electrode with varying Fe.sup.3+/Fe.sup.2+ ratios as measured with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode;

(4) FIG. 3 shows polarization of an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein in the presence of various Fe.sup.3+/Fe.sup.2+ ratios showing the characteristic current density (i.sub.c) that can then be used to obtain calibration data if oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) measurements of the calibration solutions are taken in parallel using a reference electrode;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a calibration plot obtained at 20° C. showing ORP in ordinate (as measured with a Ag/AgCl ORP electrode) as a function of i.sub.c;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a setup used for obtaining calibration data;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the calibration plot of ORP values as a function of i.sub.c (as measured with a Ag/AgCl FTRE ORP electrode) and as a function of the [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios (1:1 to 100:1) at 230° C.; a given i.sub.c value corresponds to a specific ORP value for different [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios;

(8) FIG. 7 shows calibration plots of ORP as a function of i.sub.c measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. for various initial Fe.sup.2+ concentrations in the presence and absence of a 100 psig oxygen over-pressure, wherein for each plot [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] varies from 1:1 to 100:1;

(9) FIG. 8 shows calibration plots of ORP as a function of i.sub.c measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. for various initial chloride concentrations in the presence and absence of a 100 psig oxygen over-pressure, wherein for each plot [Fe.sup.3]/[Fe.sup.2+] varies from 1:1 to 100:1;

(10) FIG. 9 shows calibration plots of ORP as a function of i.sub.c measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. for various initial fluoride concentrations in the presence and absence of a 100 psig oxygen over-pressure, wherein for each plot [Fe.sup.3]/[Fe.sup.2+] varies from 1:1 to 100:1;

(11) FIG. 10 shows the error associated with calibration plots of ORP as a function of i.sub.c measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. and an initial [Fe.sup.2+] of 0.2 gL.sup.−1 for various copper concentrations, wherein for each plot [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] varies from 1:1 to 100:1;

(12) FIG. 11 shows the error associated with calibration plots of ORP as a function of i.sub.c measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. and an initial [Fe.sup.2+] of 1.2 gL.sup.−1 for various copper concentrations, wherein for each plot [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] varies from 1:1 to 100:1;

(13) FIG. 12 shows the error associated with calibration plots of ORP as a function of i.sub.c measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. and an initial [Fe.sup.2+] of 1.2 gL.sup.−1 for various zinc concentrations, wherein for each plot [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] varies from 1:1 to 100:1;

(14) FIG. 13 shows measured ORP using FTRE and the electrode system for slurry samples comprising (a) 2 wt % ore samples and (b) 10 wt % ore samples at 230° C.;

(15) FIG. 14 shows (a) plots of ORP as a function of time wherein ORP was measured using an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. for various wt % solids in the calibration solution, and (b) the same ORP value may be attributed to two different polarization plots;

(16) FIGS. 15(a)-(c) show calibration plots of ORP as a function of the ratio R of i.sub.cc, anodic to i.sub.cc, cathodic measured with an embodiment of the electrode system disclosed herein at 230° C. for various initial [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios;

(17) FIG. 16 shows the ORP values as a function of time for slurries containing 30 wt % sulphide ore sample in the background solution of 0.42 M H.sub.2SO.sub.4+3.6 mM Fe.sup.2++3.6 mM Fe.sup.3+ at 230° C., and 100 psi O.sub.2 overpressure;

(18) FIG. 17 shows (a) the [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios, (b) the [Fe.sup.3+] concentrations, and (c) the [Fe.sup.2+] concentrations estimated by the electrode system disclosed herein;

(19) FIG. 18 shows the total dissolved iron ions measured by in situ Fe.sup.3+ ions, the [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios and Equation (13);

(20) FIG. 19 shows the current density and associated potential on a surface of a platinum electrode with varying [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios at the same acid concentration as measured with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode;

(21) FIG. 20 shows the current density and associated potential on a surface of a platinum electrode at the same [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratio with varying concentrations of sulphuric acid as measured with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode;

(22) FIG. 21 shows current density and associated potential on a surface of a platinum electrode at the same [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratio with varying concentrations of sulphuric acid as measured at (a) 333 K and (b) 363 K with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode;

(23) FIG. 22 shows measured i.sub.cc at −1 V as a function of sulphuric acid concentration at a constant [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+]; and

(24) FIG. 23 shows measured i.sub.cc at −1 V from FIG. 21(a) as a function of pH.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(25) Any terms not directly defined herein shall be understood to have the meanings commonly associated with them as understood within the art of the invention.

(26) This disclosure provides apparatus, systems and methods for in situ measurement of an oxidation/reduction potential (ORP) and/or pH of a solution comprising iron. A kinetic parameter associated with ferric reduction or both ferric reduction and ferrous oxidation is measured at an electrode surface of an electrode system. In various embodiments, the solution comprising iron may be a slurry. In various embodiments, the solution comprising iron may be a slurry from a pressure oxidation process. The term “slurry” refers to a semi-liquid mixture comprising insoluble particles.

(27) The term “kinetic parameter” is used herein as it is normally understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art and refers to a parameter relating to a speed of reaction occurring at an electrode surface. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the kinetic parameter relates to the speed of reaction of the ferric/ferrous couple at the electrode surface.

(28) The term “electrode system” refers to a working electrode, a counter electrode and a pseudo-reference electrode that are placed in the solution and connected to a device for measuring the kinetic parameter.

(29) In various embodiments, the ORP and pH of the solution is determined by measuring the kinetic parameter. A value of the kinetic parameter is then compared to a calibration plot of ORP as a function of the kinetic parameter in order to obtain the ORP of the solution or to a calibration plot of pH as a function of the kinetic parameter in order to obtain the pH of the solution. ORP calibration data is obtained by preparing calibration solutions of known composition and measuring the ORP of the calibration solutions with a reference electrode such as an EPBRE or FTRE and measuring the kinetic parameter of the calibration solutions using the electrode system. Calibration plots of ORP as a function of kinetic parameter can then be prepared and used for obtaining the ORP of the solution. Calibration data for pH is obtained by measuring the pH of the calibration solutions with a pH meter and measuring the kinetic parameter of the calibration solutions using the electrode system, at a potential wherein the kinetic parameter is dependent on a concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. Calibration plots of pH as a function of kinetic parameter can then be prepared and used for obtaining the pH of the solution.

(30) The operating redox couple in the apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein is the ferric/ferrous couple. The electrode system is used to measure the kinetic parameter at the surface of one of the electrodes which is transformed into a measure of ORP or pH through calibration. For example, if the kinetic parameter is current, the oxidation or reduction of soluble iron or both the oxidation and reduction of soluble iron in the solution may be measured.

(31) In various embodiments, the ORP calibration comprises the measurement of ORP of a calibration solution with a reference electrode that can measure potential versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) and measurement of the kinetic parameter at the surface of one of the electrodes of the electrode system for the calibration solution. In various embodiments, the calibration solution comprises ferric and ferrous iron and at least two calibration solutions with different ratios of ferric to ferrous iron are measured for obtaining ORP calibration data. The ORP of the solution corresponds to the ORP of the calibration solution at the same value for the kinetic parameter.

(32) In various embodiments, the pH calibration comprises the measurement of pH of a calibration solution with a pH meter and measurement of the kinetic parameter at the surface of one of the electrodes of the electrode system for the calibration solution, at a potential where the kinetic parameter is dependent on a concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. In various embodiments, the calibration solution comprises ferric and ferrous iron and at least two calibration solutions with the same ratio of ferric to ferrous iron and different concentrations of sulphuric acid are measured for obtaining the pH calibration data. The pH of the solution corresponds to the pH of the calibration solution at the same value for the kinetic parameter.

(33) In some embodiments, a constant cathodic overpotential is imposed on the working electrode for a period of a few seconds, and the current passing between the counter and working electrodes is measured. This current density may be referred to as the “characteristic current density” (i.sub.c or i.sub.cc). If ferric is the potential-determining species present in the solution, then this constant overpotential would result in higher measured current when the solution is more oxidizing. Due to the nearly reversible kinetics of the Fe.sup.3+/Fe.sup.2+ couple, it is likely that ferric will determine ORP even in the autoclave. This measurement is then calibrated to ORP measurements performed with a reference electrode that can measure potential versus the SHE. In other embodiments, as described below, an anodic overpotential followed by a cathodic overpotential are imposed on the working electrode and a ratio of an anodic current to a cathodic current is measured. In further embodiments, a cathodic overpotential followed by an anodic overpotential are imposed on the working electrode and a ratio of cathodic current to anodic current is measured. In various embodiments, the solution for which the kinetic parameter is measured can be at a temperature of about 25° C. to about 230° C., or any temperature therebetween.

(34) In other embodiments, the exchange current density at the working electrode surface may be measured. This current density is proportional to the concentration of the potential-determining species, for example, ferric. This measurement is also then calibrated to ORP measurements performed with a reference electrode that can measure potential versus the SHE or to pH measurements performed with a pH meter.

(35) In various embodiments, each of the electrodes of the electrode system comprises a sensor that is in contact with the solution. The sensor may comprise any unreacting, non-corrodible surface. The sensor of each electrode may independently comprise platinum, gold, carbon, palladium or iridium. In addition to the sensor, each of the electrodes also comprises an electrode body, a pressure sealing mechanism and insulation for providing electrical isolation. In various embodiments, the electrode body may be any relatively inert material such as thermoplastics (for example, PTFE), ceramics (for example, alumina or zirconia) or metals (for example, stainless steels, Ti, Ni alloys, Nb or Ta). In various embodiments, the pressure sealing mechanism may be a high temperature epoxy plug, gland holding ceramic or thermoplastic ferrules, metal ferrules, pipe fittings or any other appropriate seal. The electrical isolation may comprise ceramics or plastics. In various embodiments, the sensor of the three electrodes may each comprise platinum wires. The three platinum wires (1) may be mounted in high temperature, chemically resistant epoxy (2) and housed in a titanium tube (3) as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the electrode system comprises a glassy carbon disc surrounded by two platinum rings, all mounted in high temperature, chemically resistant epoxy and housed in a titanium tube. The glassy carbon disc may serve as a counter electrode, and the platinum rings may individually serve as the working electrode and as the pseudo-reference electrode.

(36) The ORP calibration may comprise measuring a kinetic parameter, such as current or charge transfer resistance, with the electrode system and measuring an oxidation/reduction potential of a calibration solution using a reference electrode that can measure a potential versus the SHE, such as a flow through reference electrode (FTRE) or an external pressure balanced reference electrode (EPBRE). In various embodiments, an overpotential (ΔE) is imposed on the working electrode versus the pseudo-reference electrode through the use of potentiodynamic polarization. According to various embodiments, at a given ΔE, for example, 100 mV, the steady state current density based on the solution concentration of iron, is recorded. At the same ΔE, the ORP is measured versus a reference electrode that can measure potential versus the SHE and thus, the measured current at any given condition can be attributed to ORP of the solution. For example, at ΔE=100 mV, the current density (referred to as the characteristic current density (i.sub.c or i.sub.cc)) is measured and it is compared to the ORP measured using an FTRE. Thus, in a real autoclave for example, where no actual reference electrode is present, the i.sub.c measured by means of the electrode system disclosed herein may be compared to pre-existing calibration data using for example, a simple software routine. The ORP of the solution could then be determined at any given condition. Different conditions of ORP are generated by varying concentrations of iron, oxygen and other solution constituents in the calibration solution.

(37) FIG. 2 shows the potential of calibration solutions with varying Fe.sup.3+/Fe.sup.2+ ratios measured using a reference electrode consisting of a Pt counter (or reference) electrode, a Pt working (or sensor) electrode and an EPBRE reference (or pseudo-reference) electrode that can be used to measure potential versus the SHE, as a function of current. The potential of the pseudo-reference electrode (dashed line in FIG. 2) measured versus the SHE is a function of the amount of oxidant in the solution, for example, the Fe.sup.3/Fe.sup.2+ ratio. Both the potential and exchange current on the working electrode and the pseudo-reference electrode will increase when the Fe.sup.3/Fe.sup.2+ ratio increases. As a result, at a constant overpotential (ΔE in FIG. 2), one can define a characteristic current density (vertical dotted line), which is representative of the corresponding ORP. The magnitudes in FIG. 2 are for demonstration purposes only.

(38) As a demonstration of the ORP calibration procedure, FIG. 3 presents the room temperature polarization plots obtained by embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein in the presence of 1:1, 10:1 and 30:1 Fe.sup.3+/Fe.sup.2+ ratios (initial ferrous concentration was set at 1 gL.sup.−1) in the calibration solutions. The reference electrode in FIG. 3 is a platinum pseudo-reference electrode and as potential is expressed with respect to the platinum working electrode, the ORP cannot be measured directly and the potential difference should be zero (as observed). However, the characteristic current density can be accurately measured, for instance, at an overpotential of −0.1 V. Combining the characteristic current densities obtained with the electrode system disclosed herein with ORP measurements obtained from the EPBRE reference electrode, one obtains the calibration data plotted in FIG. 4 which shows ORP as a function of characteristic current density. These plots may be generated as a function of varying industrial parameters, such as ferric, copper or zinc concentration, to provide a fully calibrated ORP apparatus. For a given characteristic current density measured using the electrode system, the ORP can be obtained from FIG. 4.

(39) The apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein rely on the operating redox couple to be a ferric/ferrous couple. In various embodiments, this may be true even in the presence of high oxygen concentrations. In some embodiments, the i.sub.c associated only with ferric reduction is measured. In other embodiments, a ratio of i.sub.c for both the anodic and cathodic reactions may be measured. These latter embodiments may reduce errors in measurement as this approach takes into account the ferrous concentration in the solution.

(40) According to Equations (8) and (9), the ORP is related to the nominal [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratio, which directly reflects the extent of sulphide oxidation. Nominal [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratio refers to the calculated [Fe.sup.3]/[Fe.sup.2+] of a solution and is the concentration of total ferric in a solution divided by the concentration of total ferrous in the solution. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure may be used to continuously monitor the extent of sulphide oxidation in a solution or slurry, rather than having to wait 12 to 24 hours for assay results. In Equation (8), T is the temperature in Kelvin, R is the universal gas constant, n is the number of moles of electrons transferred in the cell reaction and F is the Faraday constant.

(41) $\begin{array}{cc}E\left(mV\right)=-1\times 10^{-3}\times {\left[T\left(K\right)\right]}^2+0.91\times T\left(K\right)+\frac{2.303R}{nF}\times T\left(K\right)\times 10^3\times \frac{C_{\mathrm{ferric},\mathrm{nominal}}}{C_{\mathrm{ferrous},\mathrm{nominal}}}+492& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

(42) Embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein may be used to measure soluble iron concentrations in the solution. It has been demonstrated in previous high temperature work that there exists a relationship between the exchange current density (i.sub.o) associated with ferric reduction, as indicated by Equation (9) (Yue, G. and Asselin E. (2014) Electrochimica Acta 146: 307-321). In Equation (9), i.sub.o can be obtained from a polarization plot using Tafel slopes, E is the ORP value, z is the number of moles of electrons transferred in the half-cell reaction, α is the chemical activity constant of ferric, and the rate constant of ferric reduction (k.sub.c) can be calculated by Equation (10). The ferric concentration can also be validated by sampling solution during experiments. Therefore, the total iron concentration in situ can be obtained by Equations (9)-(12). Thus, embodiments of the disclosure may provide a new process control parameter for hydrometallurgical applications at high or low temperature.

(43) $\begin{array}{cc}{i}_o={\mathrm{zFk}}_c{C}_{\mathrm{ferric},\mathrm{real}}\exp \left(-\frac{\alpha \mathrm{nFE}}{\mathrm{RT}}\right)& \left(9\right)\\ {\mathrm{lnk}}_c=-10245\times \frac{1}{T\left(K\right)}+31.349& \left(10\right)\\ C_{\mathrm{ferric},\mathrm{real}}=\frac{i_o}{{\mathrm{zFk}}_c\exp \left(-\frac{\alpha \mathrm{nFE}}{\mathrm{RT}}\right)}& \left(11\right)\\ C_{\mathrm{iron},\mathrm{total}}=C_{\mathrm{ferric}}+C_{\mathrm{ferrous}}=C_{\mathrm{ferric}}\times \left(1+\frac{C_{\mathrm{ferrous},\mathrm{real}}}{C_{\mathrm{ferric},\mathrm{real}}}\right)& \left(12\right)\end{array}$

(44) The pH calibration may comprise measuring for a calibration solution, (a) pH using a pH meter, and (b) a kinetic parameter, such as current or charge transfer resistance, with the electrode system at a potential where current is proportional to hydrogen ion concentration in solution. At this potential, the ORP does not change with varying acid concentrations in solution and as a result, the system can be used to measure pH as the ORP values only depend on the ferric to ferrous ratio, and [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] is pH independent, described in Examples 7-9 below. Thus, in a real autoclave for example, where no actual pH meter is present, the i.sub.c measured by means of the electrode system disclosed herein may be compared to pre-existing pH calibration data using for example, a simple software routine. The pH of the solution could then be determined at any given condition. Different conditions of pH are generated by varying concentrations of acid, such as sulphuric acid, in the calibration solution or the temperature of the solution.

(45) Various alternative embodiments and examples of the invention are described herein. These embodiments and examples are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Investigation of Varying Ferrous, Oxygen, Chloride, Fluoride, Copper and Zinc Concentrations

(46) FIG. 5 shows a detailed schematic of the autoclave set-up used in these experiments. All experiments were carried out in a high temperature high-pressure autoclave (Inconel 625) with a glass liner (35) and equipped with a stirrer (30). The cell solution was heated and kept at a constant temperature with a controller (40). The electrode system (10) disclosed herein or the reference electrode (for example, a Wilhelm cell (50)) was placed in the cell and electrochemical measurements were obtained using a potentiostat (15). A gas inlet (20) and outlet (25) were used for applying an oxygen over-pressure. The reference solution comprised 42 gL.sup.−1 H.sub.2SO.sub.4, 0.2 gL.sup.−1 Fe.sup.2+, and 0.2 gL.sup.−1 Fe.sup.3+. The operating temperature was 230° C., and the system was over pressurized with oxygen to 100 psig. Concentrated Fe.sup.3+ solution was added to the autoclave (using a high precision positive displacement dual piston metering pump (Eldex ReciPro metering pump (45), model 1481, BB-4-VS)) to obtain various [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios ranging from 1:1 to 100:1. The rest time for each step was approximately five minutes. An overpotential of 100 mV was applied to measure the kinetic parameter as current.

(47) FIG. 6 shows ORP values measured using a FTRE reference electrode as a function of characteristic charge density (i.sub.t) and as a function of calculated [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+]. Test conditions were validated to compare calculated (Equation (8)) and measured ORP for the reference solution and the results are shown in FIG. 6.

(48) The calibration plots were obtained for various conditions including the effect of initial ferrous, oxygen, chloride, fluoride, copper and zinc concentrations. The effect of these various conditions on the ORP measurements can be summarized as follows.

(49) The effect of initial concentration of ferrous in the reference solution and the error associated with the measurements is shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, for each characteristic current density, multiple ORP can be assigned if the total iron concentration in the solution or calibration solution varies.

(50) It was found that oxygen does not affect the ORP as shown in FIG. 7. In these embodiments, ORP is determined by the [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratio because the ferric/ferrous couple is significantly more reversible than O.sub.2 reduction on the surface of the working electrode.

(51) Likewise, the addition of chloride or fluoride either did not affect or only negligibly affected the ORP measurements as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, and presence of oxygen did not appear to affect the measurement.

(52) The ORP was affected by copper and zinc concentrations. Conditions were tested in which the reference solution comprised approximately 600 mgL.sup.−1 copper and approximately 2 gL.sup.−1 zinc. However, it is seen that as the initial Fe′ concentration increases, the dependency of the ORP on the copper concentration decreases. For example, at an initial ferrous concentration of 0.2 gL.sup.−1, a change in copper concentration can result in an error of 45 mV as shown in FIG. 10. On the other hand, this error is reduced to less than 15 mV when the initial Fe.sup.2+ concentration increases to 1.2 gL.sup.−1 as shown in FIG. 11. Data for varying zinc concentrations is shown in FIG. 12.

Example 2: Investigation of Solids Concentrations

(53) Solids loadings of 2 wt %, 10 wt %, 20 wt % and 30 wt % were used to reflect a POX environment. Experimental conditions consisted of a reference solution comprising 42 gL.sup.−1 H.sub.2SO.sub.4, 0.2 gL.sup.−1 Fe.sup.2+, 0.2 gL.sup.−1 Fe.sup.3+, initial temperature of 230° C. and oxygen over-pressure of 100 psig. In all experiments the suspension was stirred at 500 rpm. After reaching the set temperature, ORP was measured over time using both a FTRE and the electrode system as disclosed herein. FIG. 13 shows the obtained values of ORP for 2 wt % (FIG. 13(a)) and 10 wt % solids (FIG. 13(b)). There are four data points for every time step measured with the electrode system. Although various ORP data may be obtained using the different calibration plots, the error in the measurement procedure is less than 25 mV. As a result, at any time step, the average values were calculated and plotted (grey line). It can be observed that the average ORP calibration plot (grey line) is very consistent with the actual ORP measurements (black line) obtained by FTRE. In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the disclosure may yield accurate ORP values to within 15 mV in a POX environment.

Example 3: Measuring the Ratio of i.SUB.cc .for Both the Anodic and Cathodic Reactions

(54) The apparatus, systems and methods disclosed herein rely on the operating redox couple to be the ferric/ferrous couple in order to measure ORP. This is true even in the presence of high oxygen concentrations, as discussed above. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the i.sub.c associated only with ferric reduction is measured. These embodiments may result in error because the ferrous concentration in the system is not accounted for and the ORP value may have multiple corresponding characteristic current densities. For example, FIG. 14(a) shows calibration plots of ORP versus time wherein ORP was measured using the electrode system at 230° C. for various wt % solids in the reference solution. FIG. 14(b) shows the same ORP value is attributed to two different polarization plots, i.e., the relation between ORP and i.sub.c is not exclusive. To reduce this error, the ratio of i.sub.c for both the anodic (i.sub.cc, anodic) and cathodic (i.sub.cc, cathodic) reactions can be measured. In this method, at any given condition, potentiodynamic polarization plots (PDP) such as those in FIG. 14(b) were generated. At ΔE=+100 mV and ΔE=−100 mV, the current values (here they are referred to as the characteristic currents, i.sub.cc, +100 mV and i.sub.cc, −100 mV) were recorded. The factor R is defined as the ratio of i.sub.cc, +100 mV and i.sub.cc, −100 mV. As shown in FIG. 15, the factor R is directly related to the nominal ratio of [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] (FIG. 15(a)), and the ORP value (FIG. 15(b)). Thus, one value of R can be translated to one ORP value. Various conditions of ORP were generated by varying the concentrations of iron, changing the ferric/ferrous couple, and changing the operating temperature in order to establish the R vs. ORP relationship shown in FIG. 15(c).

Example 4: Using the ORP Sensor for the POX Process

(55) The ORP sensor as designed in this work was used while oxidizing a gold-bearing sulphide ore. A potentiostat periodically measured a PDP on the Pt working electrode as described above, the PDP plots were saved, and the characteristic currents were used for the calculation of R. The R ratios were translated into ORP values using the calibration plot in FIG. 15(c) through a simple software routine. The ORP values were recorded as a function of time and are shown as the dots seen in FIG. 16. It can be observed that the ORP values by the developed sensor are consistent with the ORP measurements (black line) obtained with a laboratory EPBRE.

Example 5: Correlation Between In Situ ORP and Sulfide Oxidation

(56) The ORP value is related to the [Fe.sup.2+]/[Fe.sup.3+] ratio, which directly reflects the extent of sulphide oxidation. Thus, in order to evaluate the extent of sulphide oxidation occurring in parallel with the ORP measurements, in situ ORPs (in FIG. 14(a)) were converted to in situ nominal ratios of [Fe.sup.2+]/[Fe.sup.3+] by Equation (8). The in situ [Fe.sup.2+]/[Fe.sup.3+] ratio, and [Fe.sup.2+] and [Fe.sup.3+] concentrations as a function of time for slurries containing various wt % solids is shown in FIG. 17. The experimental conditions of FIG. 17(a-c) are in the background solution of 0.42 M H.sub.2SO.sub.4+3.6 mM Fe.sup.3++3.6 mM Fe.sup.2+ with ore samples at 230° C., 100 psi O.sub.2 overpressure; O.sub.2 was introduced to the system when temperature reached 100° C. Results in FIG. 17 are based on in situ measurements with an embodiment of the current disclosure instead of sampling analysis during POX leaching of the refractory gold ore.

Example 6: Measuring Total Iron Concentration In Situ

(57) Total iron concentration in situ can be measured by combining results from FIGS. 17(b) and (c), as shown in FIG. 18. Thus, embodiments of methods and systems disclosed herein can be used to calculate the concentration of ferric ions and total dissolved iron in situ, as indicated by Equations (11) and (12).

Example 7: Characteristic Current as a Function of Sulphuric Acid Concentration

(58) As shown in FIG. 19, for solutions comprising the same sulphuric acid concentration, the characteristic currents (i.sub.c) at −1.0 V did not change with increasing ferric to ferrous ratios (horizontal arrow) while the ORP values increased with increasing ferric to ferrous ratios (vertical arrow). The reference solutions consisted of 42 g/L sulphuric acid, 0.2 g/L Fe.sup.2+ (from FeSO.sub.4) and 0.2 g/L Fe.sup.3+ (from Fe.sub.2(SO.sub.4).sub.3) with a ferric to ferrous ratio of 1:1 at a temperature of 303 K. Various amounts of Fe.sup.3+ (from Fe.sub.2(SO.sub.4).sub.3) were used to obtain various [Fe.sup.3+]/[Fe.sup.2+] ratios ranging from 1:1 to 100:1. The polarization scan rate was 1.0 mVs.sup.−1. However, as shown in FIG. 20, when the potential was driven down to −1.0 V, characteristic current became dependent on hydrogen ion concentration in solution, with the current increasing with sulphuric acid concentration (horizontal arrow in FIG. 20). The ORP values did not change with increasing acid concentration (vertical arrow in FIG. 20). In these experiments, the ferric to ferrous ratio was held constant at 10:1 and different concentrations of sulphuric acid were used. This data demonstrate that characteristic current can be used to measure pH in a high temperature, high pressure environment such as a POX reactor.

Example 8: Effect of Temperature on pH Measurement

(59) The experiments were conducted outside of a pressure vessel using solutions which were heated and kept at a constant temperature of 333 K or 363 K. The reference solutions comprised a ferric to ferrous ratio of 10:1 and varying sulphuric acid concentrations of 1 g/L, 10 g/L or 100 g/L. Varying potentials were applied at a polarization scan rate of 1.0 mVs.sup.−1 and characteristic current was measured. As shown in FIGS. 21(a) and (b), current increased with increasing temperature for the same concentration of sulphuric acid in the reference solution. With respect to the 100 g/L sulphuric acid solution at 363 K, the current was so high that the equipment could not measure it. FIG. 22 shows that the characteristic current density at −1.0 V as a function of sulphuric acid concentration has a linear relationship.

Example 9: Calibration of Characteristic Current Density to pH

(60) The pH of the solutions from Example 7 was measured using a commercial pH metre and plotted against the characteristic current data from FIG. 21(a). The results are shown in FIG. 23. It was found that a 1:1 relationship exists between pH and i.sub.cc values. Thus, pH of a solution can be measured by comparing the measured kinetic parameter of a solution to pH calibration data.

(61) Although various embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, many adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention in accordance with the common general knowledge of those skilled in this art. Such modifications include the substitution of known equivalents for any aspect of the invention in order to achieve the same result in substantially the same way. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. The word “comprising” is used herein as any open-ended term, substantially equivalent to the phrase “including, but not limited to”, and the word “comprises” has a corresponding meaning. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a thing” includes more than one such thing.

(62) Citation of references herein is not an admission that such references are prior art to the present invention nor does it constitute any admission as to the contents or date of these documents.