Rates of extraction of cobalt from an aqueous solution to D2EHPA in a growing drop cell

A technique has been developed to study the rate of extraction of cobalt from an aqueous phase into a growing drop of heptane containing di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA). The hydrodynamics of the growing drop are accounted for. Experiments have been carried out at the single temperature of 25 ± 0.1°C Sphere the pH, aqueous cobalt concentration and the organic D2EHPA concentration have been varied. A mathematical model is given which is based upon the control of rate by mass transfer with chemical reaction. The model fits the experimental data well considering the experimental errors and the complexity of the transfer of solute where fresh surfaces are continually produced by the growing drop.