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Hydrometallurgy

The Hydrometallurgy department focuses on the utilization of aqueous solutions for the recovery of valuable metals from ores, concentrates and recycled or residual materials, in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable manner. Hydrometallurgical processes include leaching, precipitation, cementation, ion exchange, absorption and solvent extraction.

Department’s main activities are:

  • Research and development of hydrometallurgical methods of processing

  • Studies on aqueous chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics in hydrometallurgical processes

  • Development and design of hydrometallurgical flowsheets

  • Design and execution of laboratory and pilot scale trials for process testing and optimization

Equipment

DescriptionCapacitiesApplication
Jaw Crusher
FRITSCH
PULVERISETTE 1		Maximum continuous throughput: 140-200 kg/h.
Maximum particle size of feed material: 60-95mm.
Final particle size: 1-15mm.		Fast pre-crushing of hard, medium-hard and brittle materials
Planetary
Ball Mill
FRITSCH PULVERISETTE 6		Useful Capacity: 10-125ml sample volume
Maximum particle size of feed material: 10mm
Final particle size: ~1μm		Fast and precise milling of dry samples
Sieving device RETSCH AS 200 and series of vibrating sievesOpening lattice diameter of available sieves: 40mm down to 45μmDry sieving – grain size distribution of crushed materials
Leaching device3 samples/dayCharacterization of waste according to EN 12457-04
Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS) PERKIN ELMER AAnalyst 800Flame (FAAS), Graphite Furnace (GFAAS).
Quantitative mono-element analysis down to ppb levels		Elemental determination of liquid and solid samples
X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)Qualitative and semi-quantitative mineralogical analysisDifferentiation between amorphous and crystalline materials and identification of crystalline phases

Other Services

  • Analytical Chemistry

    The Analytical Chemistry Department supports chemical analyses of solid and liquid samples, for Quality Control and R&D purposes. Our laboratory services include the following activities: ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation for a wide

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  • Corrosion

    The Corrosion Department performs testing and evaluation of the corrosion performance of functional surfaces to support the clients in new developments, current product/process improvements or products quality assurance. The corrosion

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Full list of Services

elkeme

ELKEME, Hellenic Research Centre for Metals S.A.
ELKEME was founded in 1999 to support the Hellenic Metallurgical Industry. Through a variety of state-of-the-art laboratories ELKEME focuses on industrial research and technological development/analysis in four major metal sectors: Aluminum, Copper, Steel and Zinc, providing efficient solutions to our customers.