(Liquid-Solid) Leaching
Leaching is a liquid-solid operation. The two phases
are in intimate contact, the solute(s) can diffuse from
the solid to the liquid phase, which causes a separation
of the components originally in the solid. A special
leaching process, when an undesirable component is
removed from a solid with water, is called washing.
Leaching is widely used in the biological and food
processing industries, such as the separation of sugar
from sugar beets with hot water, the extraction of oils
from peanuts, soybeans, sunflower seeds, cotton seeds,
and halibut livers. In pharmaceutical industry, many
products are obtained by leaching plant roots, leaves,
and stems.
In the metals processing industry, leaching is used to
remove the metals from their ores, which contains many
undesirable constituents, as solute salts. A good
example is gold leaching, gold is leached from its ore
using an aqueous sodium cyanide solution.
124
Preparation of Solids for Leaching
This depends on the proportion of the soluble
constituent present, its distribution throughout the
original solid, the nature of the solid, and the original
particle siz.
If the soluble material is surrounded by a matrix of
insoluble matter, the solvent must diffuse inside to
contact and dissolve the soluble material and then
diffuse out. This is common in leaching metal salts
from mineral ores. In these cases crushing and
grinding of the ores is used to increase the rate of
leaching since the solution portions are made more
accessible to the solvent.
Biological materials are cellular in structure and the
soluble constituents are inside the cells. Because the
cell walls provide another resistance to diffusion, the
rate of leaching may be slow. In this case the
biological materials are cut into thin wedge-shaped
slices to reduce the diffusion distance of solvent.
125
 Rates of Leaching Dissolving is the controlling process (Batch System)

According to Fick’s law, the rate of mass transfer of the

solute A being dissolved to the solution of volume V is:
NA  kLAcAS  cA 
 where NA is kg mol of A dissolving to the solution/s, A
 is the surface area of particles in m2, kL is a mass-
 transfer coefficient in m/s, cAS is the saturation
 solubility of the solid solute A in the solution in kg mol/
 m3, and cA is the concentration of A in the solution at
Generally there are five rate steps in the leaching time t sec in kg mol/ m3. By a material balance, the
process: rate of accumulation of A in the solution is equal to the
1. The solvent is transferred from the bulk solution dissolving flux:
to the surface of the solid. VdcA  k Ac  c 
N
2. The solvent penetrates or diffuses into the solid dt A L AS A
(intraparticle diffusion). Integrating from t = 0 kand cA = cA0 to t = t and cA = cA,
LA t
3. The solute dissolves from the solid into the c dc   dt
A A
solvent. cA 0
cAS  cA  V t 0
4. The solute diffuses through the mixture to the
cAS  cA
 exp  L t 
surface of the solid (intraparticle diffusion). k A
5. The solute is transferred to the bulk solution. cAS  cA0  V 
 The solution approaches a saturated condition
Step 1 is usually fast. The controlling rate process is exponentially.
generally the intraparticle diffusion or the dissolving
step. For the intraparticle diffusion, we will study in
more detail in the subject of “Advanced Separation
Processes”.

126 127
 Equilibrium Relationship in Leaching Equilibrium diagrams for leaching

In leaching it is assumed that there is sufficient solvent Since we have three components: solute (A), inert or
present so that all the solute in the entering solid can be leached solid (B), and solvent (C), a rectangular
dissolved into the liquid, equilibrium is reached when diagram is used to show the equilibrium data.
the solute is dissolved. Hence, all the solute is
completely dissolved in the first stage. The concentration of inert or insoluble solid B in the
solution mixture or the slurry mixture is defined as
It is also assumed that the solid is insoluble, and no kg B kg solid
adsorption will happen for the solute in the solid, N  kg A + kg C  kg solution
meaning that the solution in the liquid phase leaving a For the overflow, N = 0, for the underflow, N depends
stage is the same as the solution remaining with the on the solute concentration in the liquid. The
solid matrix in the settled slurry leaving the same stage. compositions of solute A in the liquid as weight
The settled solid leaving a stage always contains some fractions are
liquid. This solid-liquid stream is called the underflow kg A kg solute (overflow liquid)
xA  
or slurry stream. The liquid is called the overflow kg A + kg C kg solution
stream. The concentration of oil or solute in the kg A kg solute
overflow stream is equal to that in the liquid solution yA   (liquid in slurry)
kg A + kg C kg solution
accompanying the slurry or underflow stream. Hence,
For the entering solid feed to be leached, N is kg inert
on an xy plot the equilibrium line is on the 45o line.
solid/kg solute A and yA = 1.0. For pure entering
solvent N = 0 and xA = 0.

Countercurrent leaching: A, launder; B, rake; C, pump.

128 129
 Single-Stage Leaching
The following figure shows a single-stage leaching
process where V is kg/h of overflow solution with
composition xA and L is the kg/h of liquid in the slurry
solution with composition yA based on a given flow rate
B kg/h of dry solute-free solid.

By doing material balances, we have

Total solution (A+C): L0  V2  L1  V1  M
Several typical equilibrium diagrams: (a) case for
(A): L 0 yA0  V2xA2  L1yA1  V1xA1  MxAM
vertical tie lines and yA = xA, (b) case where yA ≠ xA for
tie lines. (B): B  L 0 N 0  0  L1N1  0  MNM
A balance on C is not needed since xA + xC = 1
and yA + yC = 1
where M is the total flow rate in kg (A+C)/h,
xAM and NM are the coordinates of this point M.

If L0 entering is the fresh solid feed to be leached with

no solvent C present, it would be located above the N
versus y line in the above figure.

130 131
Example L1: Single-Stage Leaching of Flaked
Soybeans
In a Single-Stage Leaching of soybean oil from flaked
soybeans with hexane, 100 kg of soybeans containing
20 wt % oil is leached with 100 kg of fresh hexane
solvent. The value of N for the slurry underflow is
constant at 1.5 kg insoluble solid/kg solution retained.
Calculate the amounts and compositions of the
overflow V1 and the underflow L1 leaving the stage.
Solution: The process flow diagram and known
variables are as follows.
To locate the point M, use the material balances:
L0  V2  20  100  120 kg  M
L0yA0  V2xA2  20 1  100  0  20  MxAM  120xAM
Hence xAM = 0.167.
B  L0N0  20  4  MNM
The point M is plotted along with V2 and L0. A
vertical tie line is drawn to locate L1 and V1 in
equilibrium with each other. So N1 = 1.5, yA1 = xA1
= 0.167. By using lever-arm rule, we obtain L1 = 53.3
kg and V1 =66.7 kg.
132
Countercurrent Multistage Leaching
The ideal stages are numbered in the direction of the
solids or underflow stream. The overall balance and
the component balance on solute A give
L0  Vn1  Ln  V1
L0yA0  Vn1xA,n1  LnyA,n  V1xA1
Solving for xn+1 and eliminating Vn+1, the operating line
is obtained as
1 V1x1  L0 y0
xn1  yn 
1  V  L0  / Ln
1
Ln  V1  L0
This can be plotted on an xy plot passes through the
terminal points (x1, y0) and (xn+1, yn).
If the viscosity and density of the solution change with
the solute (A) concentration, the liquid retained in the
solid underflow will change and so will the overflow
and the slope of the operating line vary. This is called
variable underflow. If the amount of solution Ln
retained by the solid is constant and independent of
concentration, then we will have constant underflow.
133
Constant Underflow in Countercurrent Multistage
Leaching
In this case the liquid Ln retained in the underflow
solids is constant from stage to stage. This means that
a plot of N versus yA is a horizontal line and N is
constant. The calculation procedure discussed in the
previous section for variable underflow can still be used
for constant underflow by simply using a horizontal line
of N versus yA and stepping off the stages with the 
point.
For constant underflow, it is also possible to use the
McCabe and Thiele method on the xy diagram, since
the operating line is now a straight line. The
equilibrium line is usually linear (yA = xA) so we can
also use the analytical solution as below. However,
special treatment must be given for the first stage,
because L0 is generally not equal to Ln , since it
contains little or no solvent. A separate material
balance must be made on stage 1 to obtain L1 and V2.
Any units may be used in the following equation
Xb - X ∗
b
ln () X a∗
N= X a -
X
ln ( b∗ - X∗a)
X -X
b a
as long as the units are consistent and the overflows and
underflows are constant.
134
Example L2. By extraction with kerosene, 2 tons of
waxed paper per day is to be dewaxed in a continuous
countercurrent extraction system that contains a number
of ideal stages. The waxed paper contains, by weight,
25% paraffin wax and 75% paper pulp. The extracted
pulp is put through a dryer to evaporate the kerosene.
The pulp, which retains the unextracted wax after
evaporation, must not contain over 0.2 lb of wax per
100 lb of wax-free pulp. The kerosene used for the
extraction contains 0.05 lb of wax per 100 lb of wax-
free kerosene. Experiments show that the pulp retains
2.0 lb of kerosene per lb of kerosene- and wax-free pulp
as it is transferred from cell to cell. The extract from the
battery is to contain 5 lb of wax per 100 lb of wax-free
kerosene. How many stages are required?
Solution.
Since here the ratio of kerosene to pulp is constant, flow
rates should be expressed in pounds of kerosene. All
concentrations must be in pounds of wax per pound of
wax-free kerosene. The unextracted paper has no
kerosene, so the first cell must be treated separately.
135
 The concentration in the underflow to the 2nd unit
= that of the overflow from the 1st stage
= 0.05 lb wax/lb kerosene

The wax in the underflow to unit 2 is 200x0.05 = 10 lb.

The wax in the overflow from the 2nd cell to the 1st is,
by a wax balance over the 1st unit,
10 + 33.55 – 33.33 = 10.22 lb

A: wax; B: pulp; C: kerosene The concentration of this stream = 10.22/871 = 0.0117.

ya = xa* = 0.05 xa = 0.0117
The kerosene in with the fresh solvent is found by a yb = xb* = 0.2/200 = 0.001 xb = 0.0005
wax balance. Take a basis of 100 lb of wax- and
kerosene-free pulp, and let s be the pounds of kerosene Since stage 1 has already been taken into account,
fed in with the fresh solvent. The wax balance, in lb, is Xb - Xb∗
ln ( ) 0.0005 - 0.001
Wax in with pulp, 100x25/75 = 33.33 N - 1= Xa - X ∗a = ln ( 0.0117 - 0.05 ) = 3
ln (Xb - Xa ) ln (0.0005 - 0.0117
Wax in with the solvent, 0.0005s
Total wax input = 33.33 + 0.0005s ∗ ∗ 0.001 - 0.05 )
Xb - X a
Wax out with pulp, 100x0.002 = 0.2
Wax out with extract, (s-200)0.05 = 0.05s – 10 The total number of ideal stages is N = 1+3 = 4.
Total wax output = 0.05s – 9.8
Therefore,
33.33 + 0.0005s = 0.05s – 9.8
s = 871 lb.

The kerosene in the exhausted pulp is 200 lb, in the

strong solution is 871- 200 = 671 lb.

The wax in this solution is 671x0.05 = 33.55 lb.

136 137
Variable Underflow in Countercurrent Multistage In order to go stage by stage, we must derive the
Leaching operating point equation, as we did for distillation by
Ponchon and Savarit method. Making a total balance
The material balances for the whole system are on stage 1 and then on stage n,
L0  VN1  LN  V1  M L0  V2  L1  V1
L0 yA0  VN 1xA,N 1  LnyA, N  V1xA1  MxAM Ln1  Vn1  Ln  Vn
B  L0N0  LNNN  MNM The above equations can be rearranged as
L0MVN+1 must lie on a straight line and LNMV1 must be L0  V1  L1  V2  ...  Ln  Vn1  LN  VN1  
another straight line. Usually the flows and The coordinates of the operating point  can be
compositions of L0 and VN+1 are known and the desired obtained by a balance on solute A and the solid:
exit concentration yA,N is set. Then the coordinates NM L0yA0  V1xA1  ...  LNyAN  VN1xA,N1  xA
and xAM can be determined.
B  L0N0 = ...  LNNN  N
Hence,
L0yA0  V1xA1 LNyAN  VN 1xA,N1
x  
LN  VN 1
A
L0  V1
B
N  L0N0
L0  V1 L0  V1
This point  can also be located graphically as
the intersection of lines L0V1 and LNVN+1.

To graphically determine the number of stages, we start

at L0 and draw a line L0 to locate V1. Then an
equilibrium tie line through V1 locates L1. Line L1 is
drawn to give V2. A tie line from V2 gives L2. This
is continued until the desired LN is reached.

138 139
Example L3: Countercurrent Leaching of Oil from
Meal
A continuous countercurrent multistage system is to be
used to leach oil from meal by benzene solvent. The
process is to treat 1000 kg/h of inert solid meal (B)
containing 400 kg oil (A) and also 25 kg benzene (C).
The inlet flow per hour of fresh solvent mixture
contains 655 kg benzene and 10 kg oil. The leached
solids are to contain 60 kg oil. Settling experiments
similar to those in the actual extractor show that the
solution retained depends on the concentration of oil in
the solution. The data are tabulated below as N kg VN+1 = 10 + 655 = 665 kg/h
inert solid B/kg solution and yA kg oil A/kg solution. xA,N+1 = 10/665 = 0.015
N 2.00 1.98 1.94 1.89 1.82 1.75 1.68 1.61 L0 = 400 + 25 = 425 kg/h
yA 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 yA0 = 400/425 = 0.941
Calculate the amounts and concentrations of the stream N0 = B/L0 = 1000/425 = 2.36
NN B / (A  C) 1000
leaving the process and the number of stages required. B   16.67
yAN  A / (A  C)  A 60
N N
Solution: The underflow data are plotted as N vs yA. A dashed line is plotted through the origin (0,0) with a
slope of 16.67, which intersects the N vs yA line at LN.

The coordinates of LN are read from the graph as

yAN = 0.118, NN = 1.95
60
So LN  AN   508 kg / h
yAN 0.118
From the solution balance
V1  L0  VN1  LN =425 + 665 - 508 =582 kg/h
From the solute (A) balance
xA1  L0 yA0  VN 1xN 1  LN yAN /V1

140 141
 = (425x0.941+665x0.015-508x0.118)/582
= 0.60
Another method to locate V1 is to determine the M
point first.
M  L0  VN 1  425  665  1090 kg / h
MxAM  L0 yA0  VN 1xA, N 1  425(0.941)  665(0.015)
xAM = 0.376
MNM  B  1000
NM = 0.918
By extending the line LN(yAN, NN) – M(xAM, NM) to
intersect N = 0 at V1(xA1, 0), we obtain xA1 = 0.60.
The operating point  is obtained as the intersection of
lines L0V1 and LNVN+1 in the above figure. The stages
are stepped off as shown. The fourth stage L4 is
slightly past the desired LN. About 3.9 stages are
required.
142
Variable Underflow in Countercurrent Multistage
Leaching: McCabe-Thiele method
The number of ideal stages for variable underflow
can also be determined by the McCabe-Thiele method.
The terminal points on the operating line are
determined usiny the material balances. Normally only
one interdemiate point is reuired to draw the operating
line unless there is a large change in L and V or the
operating line is very close to the equilibrium line.
To locate the intermediate point of the operating
line, choose a yn value of about (y0+yN)/2 to fix Ln, Vn+1
xn+1 and are calculated from
Vn1  Ln  V1  L0
L
xn1  n y  V1x1  L0 y0
Vn1 n Vn1
This point (yn, xn+1) together with the two terminal
points (y0, x1) and (yN, xN+1) are used to draw the
operating curve. The McCabe-Thiele method is used to
determine the number of ideal stages by couting the
number of triangles between the equilibrium and curved
operating lines in the x-y diagram.
Example L4: Use the McCabe-Thiele method to
calculate the number of idear stages for the leaching
system in Example L3.
143
 Vn1  Ln  V1  L0  571 583  425  729 kg / h
L
xA,n1  n y  V1x1  L0 y0
Vn1 n Vn1
571 583 0.60  425 0.941
 (0.5)   0.323
729 729
The points (y0, x1), (yn, xn+1), and (yN, xN+1) define a
slightly curved operating line. By the McCabe-Thiele
method, slightly more than 4 stages are required.
VN+1 = 10 + 655 = 665 kg/h
xA,N+1 = 10/665 = 0.015
L0 = 400 + 25 = 425 kg/h
yA0 = 400/425 = 0.941
The amount and composition of the solution in the
spent solids, LN and yN are obtained by trial.
Assume yAN = 0.1, from the given table,
N = 1.98 = B/(A+C) = 1000/(60+C)
C = 445 kg/h
yAN = A/(A+C) = 60/(60+445) = 0.119
At this new yAN, N = 1.97 by linear interpolation. Hence,
C = 447, yAN = 60/(60+447) = 0.118 (close enough)
LN = A+C = 60+447 = 507 kg.h
V1  VN 1  L0  LN  665  425  507  583 kg / h
Oil balance gives the oil in the extract as
A1 = 400+10-60 = 350 kg/h
xA1 = A1/V1 = 350/583 = 0.60
To determine an intermediate point on the operating
curve, choose yAn = 0.5, N = 1.75 = B/Ln = 1000/Ln
Ln = 571 kg/h

144 145