High-Temperature Vacuum Drying Ovens as Key Equipment for Simulating Geologic Mineralization Processes

These ovens enable precise control over temperature, pressure, and fluid environments, providing experimental data to study geologic fluid migration and mineral precipitation mechanisms. Their applications include:

1. Simulating Geologic Fluid Environments

High-temperature vacuum drying ovens replicate mid- to high-temperature hydrothermal conditions (e.g., 300–600°C, 10–100 MPa) found in the deep crust. By maintaining accurate heating rates (5°C/min) and pressurizing with inert gases (e.g., Ar), they help investigate the dissolution-migration behavior of metals (e.g., Cu, Au, Fe) in ore-forming fluids (e.g., NaCl-H₂O-CO₂ systems).

2. Revealing Mineral Precipitation Mechanisms

By adjusting temperature gradients, pressure drops, or fluid mixing, these ovens simulate the crystallization of sulfides, oxides, and other minerals. Key findings include:

• Pressure drops (e.g., 80 MPa → 20 MPa) trigger fluid boiling, leading to rapid metal sulfide precipitation.
• Temperature gradients (e.g., 400°C → 200°C) promote selective crystallization, such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) in cooler zones.

3. Validating Mineralization Theoretical Models

Integrated with in-situ sensors (temperature/pressure probes, pH/conductivity meters) and post-experiment analyses (SEM, XRD, LA-ICP-MS), experimental data from these ovens validate models like:

• Magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization
• Metamorphic fluid-related ore formation
  For example, simulation results closely match porphyry copper deposit zoning (e.g., chalcopyrite at the core, pyrite at the periphery).

4. Guiding Mineral Exploration & Extraction

• Ore deposit targeting: Experimental P-T conditions refine exploration strategies (e.g., focusing on moderate-temperature hydrothermal zones).
• Mining optimization: Insights into precipitation mechanisms aid in in-situ leaching and flotation reagent design.

Future Prospects

Combining synchrotron X-ray imaging and other real-time analytical techniques, these ovens could dynamically capture mineral crystallization, further enhancing simulation accuracy and practical value.

(Adapted from Economic Geology and Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta standards.)