MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR METAL SOLVENT EXTRACTION SYSTEMS, SELECTIVITY EFFECT

A mathematical model based on matrix notation is used to study the behavior of liquid-liquid extraction systems in hydrometallurgical processes. One major advantage of the model is that the ion concentration effect on the phase equilibrium is considered. The model is based on the solution of a set of nonlinear equations. The calculation method is presented and the correction algorithm is derived. The model is validated using published industrial plant data. The effect of the system parameters, such as, liquid resin concentration, ion concentration and pH are analyzed. The selectivity of the liquid-liquid extraction system is investigated and a correlation with the operating variables is proposed. Results for a sample problem is presented.