APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HYDROLYSIS OF CYANIDE-CONTAINING LIQUIDS

摘要

The invention provides an apparatus for continuous thermal hydrolysis of cyanide ions and cyanide-containing ions contained in a liquid, comprising an elongated tubular reactor of a size selected to enable the liquid to be retained in the reactor for a predetermined reaction time, a conduit for supplying the liquid to the reactor, means for adding a base to the liquid prior to heating, and means, associated with the conduit, for instantaneously and uniformly heating the liquid to a preselected temperature. The apparatus preferably uses high pressure steam to heat the liquid and appears much less subject to fouling by scale. The invention also provides a continuous process for hydrolyzing a cyanide-containing liquid stream, comprising adjusting the pH of the liquid stream to render the liquid stream strongly basic; rapidly and uniformly heating the liquid stream to a predetermined elevated temperature; feeding the liquid to an elongated substantially vertical tubular reactor; maintaining the liquid in the reactor for a predetermined time to permit substantially complete degradation of cyanide ions and cyanide-containing ions in the liquid. The cyanide-containing liquid may preferably be uniformly and rapidly heated to the desired temperature by injecting steam under pressure into the liquid.