Separation of cobalt and zinc from concentrated nickel sulfate solutions with Cyanex 272

BACKGROUND: Removal of cobalt and zinc from concentrated nickel solutions separately using two Cyanex 272 circuits has been practised in the nickel industry. However, no detailed study has been conducted and data are scarce for further improvement. This study aims to optimise the operating conditions and to simplify the process flowsheet. RESULTS: With a synthetic solution containing 100 g L^?1 Ni, 1.4 g L^?1 Co and 0.8 g L^?1 Zn and the organic solution containing Cyanex 272 and TBP in Shellsol D70, the operating conditions of extraction, scrubbing and stripping were optimised. McCabe–Thiele diagrams were constructed to determine the theoretical extraction and stripping stages and a flowsheet to separate cobalt and zinc from nickel was proposed. With this flowsheet, more than 99% cobalt and zinc could be separated, resulting in a pure nickel solution with less than 10 mg L^?1 of cobalt and zinc. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that Cyanex 272 can be used to separate cobalt and zinc in one Cyanex 272 circuit effectively from concentrated nickel solutions to obtain very pure nickel solutions suitable for nickel electrowinning or hydrogen reduction. The cobalt and zinc in the loaded strip liquor were concentrated over 10 times and can be separated readily in another much smaller solvent extraction circuit. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Process for the Recovery of Cobalt and Nickel from Sulphate Leach Liquors with Saponified Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA

Abstract

In this paper, a process is reported for the recovery of cobalt and nickel from copper raffinate solutions using partially saponified Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA as the extractants. The aqueous feed contains 1.65 g/L cobalt and 16.42 g/L nickel. More than 99.9% cobalt separation was achieved with 0.13 M Cyanex 272 (60% neutralized with alkali) in two counter‐current stages at an aqueous to organic phase ratio of 1.1:1. Co‐extraction of nickel was 0.18% only. Stripping of cobalt from a loaded organic phase was carried out with synthetic spent electrolyte solution at an organic to aqueous phase ratio of 2.5 in two counter‐current stages to generate a pregnant electrolyte solution to produce cobalt metal by electrowinning. Similarly, optimum conditions for nickel extraction with 60% neutralized 1 M D2EHPA at O/A ratio of 1.4 in 2 two stages and stripping of metal with synthetic spent electrolyte at O/A ratio of 1.6 in two stages were standardized. Extraction and stripping efficiencies were >99% and the flowsheet of the process is demonstrated.     

Cobalt–manganese separation: The extraction of cobalt(II) from manganese sulphate solutions by cyanex 301

The extraction and stripping reactions of cobalt(II) by Cyanex 301 in Iberfluid diluent from aqueous manganese sulphate solutions has been investigated. The effect of different variables which should influence the extraction-stripping of cobalt was evaluated, including equilibration time, temperature, organic diluent, extractant concentration, aqueous pH, cobalt loading, strip solution concentration, etc. The number of stages required for the extraction and stripping of cobalt was also evaluated. The results were used to define the conditions for the purification of manganese sulphate solutions. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simultaneous solvent extraction of cobalt and magnesium in the presence of nickel from sulfate solutions by Ionquest 801

The simultaneous extraction of Co(II) and Mg(II) from nickel sulfate solutions has been carried out using the organophosphonic extractant Ionquest 801 diluted in Exxsol D‐80. Statistical design and analysis of experiments were used in order to determine the main effects and interactions of the solvent extraction parameters, which were the extraction pH at equilibrium, the temperature, the extractant concentration and the organic/aqueous phase ratio. A statistically designed experiment was also carried out to study the stripping of the Ionquest 801 organic phase loaded with cobalt and magnesium by sulfuric acid solution. The number of stages required for both extraction and stripping processes of cobalt and magnesium was evaluated. The results of continuous counter‐current mini‐plant tests demonstrated the simultaneous recovery of cobalt and magnesium from nickel sulfate solution. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

THE EXTRACTION OF SOME BASE METAL IONS BY CYANEX 30L CYANEX 302 AND THEIR BINARY EXTRACTANT MIXTURES WITH ALIQUAT 336

ABSTRACT

The extraction behaviour of Cyanex 301, Cyanex 302 and their binary extractant mixtures with Aliquat 33b towards copper(II), zinc(II), iron(III), iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and manganese(Il) is indicated. The extraction data were collected from sulphate solutions with acidities ranging from pH 10 to 8 mol/dm³ sulphuric acid. Cyanex 301 is a more efficient extractant than Cyanex 302 and is able to effect extraction at greater acidities. In combination with the organic base Aliquat 336 the extraction power of these extractants is lowered and in some cases the extraction is suppressed appreciably. However, the suppression of extraction can be useful in metal separation and affords greater control over the back-extraction. The suppression is ascribed to the high stability of the acid-base couple which must dissociate in order to effect extraction.     

Mass Transfer and Immobilized Organic Phase Instability Studies for Cobalt(II)–Nickel(II) Separation by PEHFSD

Pseudo-emulsion-based hollow-fiber strip dispersion (PEHFSD) technique was examined as an alternative to solvent extraction for simultaneous separation and concentration of cobalt(II)–nickel(II) mixture using Cyanex-272 as the extractant. Experiments were carried out by continuous recirculation of the feed and pseudo-emulsion phases through a hollow-fiber module. The separation factor increased rapidly after 60 min of operation. The maximum value after 120 min of operation was ～128 (pH = 6.5) for the operating conditions studied. The mass transfer resistance from the extraction reaction appeared to be dominant. The results of mathematical modeling of the mass transfer process indicated that higher separation factor and extraction rate can be achieved using PEHFSD in comparison to solvent extraction. Mixing of the stripping and the feed solution was observed at high dispersed phase volume fraction in the pseudo-emulsion and low flow rate of this phase. The maximum value of backtransport flux from the stripping phase due to mixing was estimated to be approximately two orders lower than the initial extraction rates.     

Recovery of copper from sulphate medium by Lix-84 in kerosene

The extraction–stripping reaction of Cu(II) by Lix-84 in kerosene from aqueous sulphate medium of pH 2·5 has been investigated. The effects of pH, metal ion, extractant and strip solution concentrations as well as the loading capacity of the extractant were investigated. The number of stages required for the extraction and stripping of copper was also evaluated. The results are used to assess the conditions for purification of industrial waste solutions containing copper through counter-current extraction in a horizontal mixer-settler.     

Solvent extraction with LIX 973N for the selective separation of copper and nickel

LIX 973N diluted with Iberfluid was used to co‐extract copper and nickel from ammoniacal/ammonium carbonate aqueous media. The influence of equilibration time, temperature, equilibrium pH and extractant concentration on the extraction of both metals has been studied. It was observed that neither copper nor nickel extraction is sensitive to temperature and equilibrium pH, however nickel extraction equilibrium is reached at a longer contact time (20 min) than that of copper (5 min), in addition nickel extraction depends greatly on the extractant concentration in the organic phase. For a solution containing 3 g dm⁻³ each of copper and nickel and 60 g dm⁻³ ammonium carbonate, conditions were established for the co‐extraction of both metals, ammonia scrubbing and selective stripping (with H₂SO₄) of nickel and copper. Using the appropriate extractant concentration the yield (extraction stage) for both metals is near 100%, whereas the percentage of nickel and copper stripping is also almost quantitative. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Separation and recovery of heavy metals from concentrated smelting wastewater by synergistic solvent extraction using a mixture of 2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetophenone oxime and bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) -phosphinic acid

Extraction and separation of copper, zinc, nickel, and cadmium from calcium and magnesium in concentrated smelting wastewater by synergistic solvent extraction using a mixture of 2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetophenone oxime (Mextral 84H) and bis(2,4,4 -trimethylpentyl)-phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) in an aliphatic diluent (DT-100) was studied. The effects of extractant concentrations, equilibrium pH, organic-to-aqueous phase ratios, system temperature, and extraction and stripping efficiencies on the extraction performance of the heavy metals were investigated. Extraction of pH isotherms showed that addition of Cyanex 272 to Mextral 84H causes obvious synergistic shifts for zinc and cadmium and a slightly antagonistic shift for nickel. The separation factor of cadmium over magnesium was 155.7 and the ΔpH₅₀ values between the metals were over 1.00 pH units. Semi-continuous tests for the metals extraction, scrubbing, and stripping were conducted in a continuous extraction apparatus with conditions further optimized for separation of the metals. Nearly 100% of the copper and nickel and over 98% of the zinc and cadmium were recovered with less than 0.1 mg/L copper and nickel, 26 mg/L of zinc, and 10 mg/L of cadmium remaining in the raffinate. A process in which all valuable metals are extracted simultaneously and stripped selectively at optimal conditions is proposed that is entirely feasible for the separation of copper, zinc, nickel, and cadmium from calcium and magnesium in concentrated smelting wastewater. The study determines the fundamental parameters for the treatment of smelting wastewater by solvent extraction.     

The separation and recovery of copper(Ⅱ), nickel(Ⅱ), cobalt(Ⅱ), zinc(Ⅱ),and cadmium(Ⅱ) in a sulfate-based solution using a mixture of Versatic 10 acid and Mextral 984H

We studied the separation and recovery of copper(Ⅱ), nickel(Ⅱ), cobalt(Ⅱ), zinc(Ⅱ), and cadmium(Ⅱ) from magnesium and calcium, using synergistic solvent extraction(SSX) in a typical hydrometallurgical waste solution. A mixture of Versatic 10 acid and Mextral 984 H, diluted with Mextral DT100, was used to obtain fundamental data on p H and distribution isotherms, as well as the kinetics of extraction and stripping. We also investigated the main effects and interactions of common solvent extraction factors: the extraction p H at equilibrium, the temperature, and the extractant concentration. The synergistic effect for extracting metals was confirmed. The results showed that the addition of Mextral 984 H enhanced the separation factors of copper, nickel, cobalt,zinc, and cadmium over magnesium and calcium. Compared with Versatic 10 acid alone, for a mixture of0.5 mol·L~(-1) Versatic 10 acid/0.5 mol·L~(-1)Mextral 984 H, Δp H50 values of copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, and cadmium were found to be N 2.0, 3.30, 2.85, 0.95, and 1.32 p H units, respectively. The Δp H_(50)(Zn–Mg)and Δp H_(50)(Zn–Ca)values were 3.27 and 2.25, respectively, indicating easy separation and recovery of copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt,and cadmium. The extraction and stripping of copper, cobalt, zinc, and cadmium were fast, with 90% of the metal transferred in 2 min. We next studied whether the metals could be stripped from the extracted liquid selectively in sequence, by using sulfuric acid at different concentrations. The influence of the molecular structure of the oxime and carboxylic acid components upon the synergistic effects was identified by numerical analysis.Excellent separation of copper, nickel, cobalt, and zinc over magnesium and calcium was achieved with this synergistic solvent extraction system.     

Separation of cobalt and nickel from acidic sulfate solutions using mixtures of di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DP‐8R) and hydroxyoxime (ACORGA M5640)

DP‐8R and ACORGA M5640 extractants diluted in Exxsol D100 were used to co‐extract cobalt and nickel from aqueous acidic sulfate media. The influences of equilibration time, temperature, equilibrium pH and reagent concentrations on the extraction of both metals have been studied. It was observed that both cobalt and nickel extraction are slightly sensitive to temperature but are pH dependent. Metal extraction equilibria are reached within about 5 min contact time. In addition, cobalt extraction depends on the extractant concentration in the organic phase. For a solution containing 0.5 g dm^?3 each of cobalt and nickel and an initial pH of 4.1, conditions were established for the co‐extraction of both metals and selective stripping (with H₂SO₄) of cobalt and nickel. Using the appropriate reagent concentrations the yield (extraction stage) for both metals exceeded 90%, and stripping of cobalt and nickel was almost quantitative. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Separation of Cobalt and Zinc from Manganese,Magnesium, and Calcium using a Synergistic Solvent Extraction System Consisting of Versatic 10 and LIX 63

Abstract

The Boleo leach solution contains large amounts of manganese (45 g/L), magnesium (25 g/L) and small amounts of cobalt (0.2 g/L) and zinc (1 g/L) in sea water. Due to the high manganese concentration, it is very difficult to separate cobalt and zinc from manganese, magnesium, and calcium using conventional solvent-extraction processes, which has led to the development of a synergistic solvent extraction (SSX) system consisting of Versatic 10 and LIX®63. By adding 0.4 M LIX 63 to 0.5 M Versatic 10, large synergistic shifts were obtained for cobalt (max. ΔpH₅₀ 4.24) and zinc (max. ΔpH₅₀ 1.62). After a single contact at pH 4.5, the extraction of cobalt was almost complete and that of zinc 80%. The extraction of manganese was 1.55%, and almost no magnesium and calcium were extracted, indicating excellent separation of cobalt and good separation of zinc from manganese, magnesium, and calcium. The SSX system was further optimized to reduce the co-extraction of manganese with the synthetic Boleo demonstration plant solution. It was found that with 0.33 M Versatic 10 and 0.30 M LIX 63, the SSX system composition approached optimum. After a single contact at pH 5.5, the extractions of cobalt and zinc were 93% and 70%, respectively, while the manganese concentration in the loaded organic solution was only 0.28 g/L. The extraction and stripping kinetics of cobalt and zinc were rapid. The SSX system was tested in two integrated pilot-plant trials with excellent results. Baja Mining has planned to implement the SSX circuit in their future Boleo plant.     

湿法炼锌中性浸出液中铜、镉的萃取分离无渣净化工艺

用ＡｃｏｒｇａＭ５６４０萃取剂对硫酸锌浸出液优先萃取分离铜．用二（２－乙基己基）二硫代磷酸（Ｄ２ＥＨＤＴＰＡ）和三辛胺（ＴＯＡ）协萃体系进行锌、镉分离．应用Ｄ２ＥＨＤＴＰＡ－甲苯体系时,镉完全萃取,但有机相中的镉很难反萃．应用Ｄ２ＥＨＤＴＰＡ－ＴＯＡ协萃体系时,镉能从硫酸锌溶液中选择性萃取,也能很容易地从有机相中反萃,实现镉与锌的分离．提出了从硫酸锌中性浸出液萃取分离铜、镉的无渣净化新工艺．     

The solvent extraction of nickel from acidic solutions using synergistic mixtures containing pyridinecarboxylate esters. Part 2: Systems based on alkylsalicylic acids

The synergistic solvent extraction of nickel and cobalt by pyridinecarboxylate esters (2-, 3- or 4-C₅H₄N.CO.OR) in admixture with 3-bromo- or 3-nitro-derivatives of 5-alkylsalicylic acids was studied. Nickel is extracted more strongly than cobalt in all cases and, for systems containing a given pyridinecarboxylate, the pH₅₀ values (pH values for 50% extraction) of both metals decrease in the order: alkylsalicylic acid > bromo-derivative > nitro-derivative. For systems containing a given salicylic acid, the separation between the pH₅₀ values for nickel and cobalt was found to increase in the order: pyridine 2-ester < 4-ester ≈ 3-ester. The extractability of divalent base metals from sulphate solutions by mixtures of isodecyl 3- or 4-pyridinecarboxylate and 3-bromo- or 3-nitro-5-nonylsalicylic acid in Shellsol K decreases through the series: Cu > Ni > Co ≈ Zn > Ca > Mg. In single-stage batch extraction experiments with a simulated leach liquor containing Ni 2·2, Cu 0·5, Ca 0·4 and Mg 5·0 g dm⁻³ (and smaller amounts of other base metals), adjustment of the equilibrium pH value to between 3·3 and 4·0 with magnesium oxide gave extractions of nickel and copper of 97–100%, with co-extractions of calcium and magnesium of <0·5 and <0·1%, respectively. Amongst the metals present in lower concentrations, manganese (2–5%) and lead (5–10%) were extracted only slightly whereas cobalt (40–80%), zinc (15–65%) and iron (100%) were more strongly extracted.     

Separation of Cadmium,Cobalt, and Nickel by Solvent Extraction using the Nickel Salts of the Extractants

A new solvent‐extraction process for the separation of cadmium, cobalt, and nickel in sulphate solutions coming from the hydrometallurgical processing of spent Ni‐Cd batteries is proposed. The main innovation is to use nickel salts of the extractants, thus avoiding external pH control in the extraction operation. The extractants are first loaded with nickel in conditioning steps, using a neutralizer for pH control, and afterwards contacted with the aqueous processing solutions for extraction of interested metals with no further need of neutralization. This process is an alternative to the usual approach, which uses the sodium or ammonium salts of the extractants, avoiding introducing these cations in the process stream. Using this approach, the extraction of cadmium with nickel salt of 1 M DEHPA was performed at resulting pH values of 3.8–4.3 producing an organic phase loaded with 35 g/L Cd. Cobalt extraction with the nickel salt of Cyanex 272 was further achieved at resulting pH of 5.1–5.7 obtaining a organic loaded with 6.5 g/L Co.     

The separation of europium from a middle rare earth concentrate by combined chemical reduction,precipitation and solvent-extraction methods

The chemical reduction of pure europium(III) chloride solutions was investigated using reagents comprising reactive metals (Zn and Mg), metal amalgams (Zn-Hg, Na-Hg and Eu-Hg), metal hydride (NaBH₄) and nitrogenous reductants (N₂H₄ and NH₂OH). Using 100% excess of reducing agent and of ammonium sulphate, efficient precipitation of europium(II) sulphate was obtained with the metal amalgams (99·7–99·9%) and with zinc metal (99·8%), whereas only partial precipitation was obtained with magnesium metal (69%), and no precipitation was observed with the other reagents. Application of the method to synthetic rare earth chloride solutions containing europium 7·5, neodymium 5, samarium 35 and gadolinium 20 g dm⁻³ gave efficient precipitation of europium(II) sulphate with zinc and europium amalgams, but no selective precipitation with sodium amalgam. Reduction of an authentic middle rare earth chloride solution with zinc amalgam gave 97·5% recovery of europium(II) sulphate containing (as a percentage of the total rare earths) europium 92, samarium 3·5, neodymium 2, cerium 1, praseodymium 0·6 and gadolinium 0·5%. Conversion of the europium(II) sulphate to europium(II) chloride, followed by re-precipitation of the sulphate increased the europium content only to 96·5%, whereas replacement of the re-precipitation by solvent extraction of the trivalent rare earth impurities into solutions of commercial organophosphorus or carboxylic acids in xylene increased the europium content to > 99·98%. The zinc ions introduced into the middle rare earth mother liquor during the reduction procedure can be removed by solvent extraction into a commercial phosphine oxide (Cyanex 925), without loss of rare earth values.     

Selective Separation of Gallium from Acidic Leach Solutions by Emulsion Liquid Membranes

Abstract

The separation and concentration of gallium from acidic leach solutions, containing various other ions such as iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, lead, copper, and aluminium, by an emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) technique using tributyl phosphate (TBP) as carrier has been presented. Liquid membrane consists of a diluent, a surfactant (ECA 4360J), and an extractant (TBP), and 0.1 M HCl or 0.1 M H₂SO₄ were used as the stripping solution. The important variables governing the permeation of gallium and their effect on the separation process have been studied. These variables were membrane type and composition, mixing speed, diluent type, surfactant concentration, extractant concentration, HCl concentration in the feed, acid type of stripping phase, feed concentration, and treatment ratio. The optimum conditions were determined. It was possible to selectively extract 96.0% of gallium from the acidic leach solutions, containing Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Al, at the optimum conditions.     

从电镀污泥浸出液中选择性萃取铜的研究

采用M5640-磺化煤油作为萃取剂,H2SO4为反萃剂,对电镀污泥浸出液中的铜进行选择性萃取实验,确定了萃取铜及反萃的最佳工艺参数。结果表明,实验采用二级萃取,萃取剂浓度为5％,VO/VA=1：1,混合时间为2min时,铜的萃取率可达到9996以上,另外采用已优化的反萃工艺参数,铜的反萃率可达99％以上。同时,萃取剂对Ni、Zn的共萃率较低,表明M5640-磺化煤油体系对电镀污泥液中铜的萃取选择能力较高,可以达到与溶液中Ni、Zn有较好的分离效果。     

Recovery of copper from ammoniacal/ammonium sulfate medium by LIX 54

The extraction‐stripping reaction of Cu(II) by LIX 54 in Iberfluid from aqueous ammonium sulfate medium at pH 8.5 has been investigated. The effects of pH, metal ion, extractant concentration as well as the loading capacity of the reagent were studied. The extraction equilibrium constant for copper was determined numerically to be 7 × 10⁻⁷. Experimental data can be explained assuming the formation of CuR₂ species in the organic phase (R represents the extractant). Copper stripping was studied using typical spent copper electrowinning solutions as stripping medium. The number of stages required for the extraction and stripping of copper was also evaluated. The results were used to asses the conditions for purification of industrial waste solutions (eg spent etchants) containing copper through counter‐current extraction‐stripping. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Purification of Unrefined Nickel(II) Sulfate Solution by a Continuous Countercurrent Multistage Extraction with bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phosphinic Acid

Separation of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) using bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphinic acid as an extractant has been investigated by a liquid–liquid and a continuous countercurrent extraction. For comparison, 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester has also been used, and the results are discussed in terms of cobalt–nickel selectivity. Based on the results, a highly selective procedure using 20% bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphinic acid in heptane has been proposed to separate zinc(II), copper(II), manganese(II), cadmium(II), magnesium(II) and cobalt(II) from nickel(II). The separation method has been successfully applied to purification of unrefined nickel(II) sulfate solutions. © 1997 SCI.