SCI和EI收录∣中国化工学会会刊

›› 2016, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (2): 237-248.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2015.06.002

• Selected Papers from the International Solvent Extraction Conference • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recovery of nickel, cobalt, copper and zinc in sulphate and chloride solutions using synergistic solvent extraction

Chu Yong Cheng, Keith R. Barnard, Wensheng Zhang, Zhaowu Zhu, Yoko Pranolo   

  1. Minerals Resources Flagship, Karawara, WA 6152, Australia
  • Received:2015-01-15 Revised:2015-02-26 Online:2016-03-14 Published:2016-02-28

Abstract: A number of synergistic solvent extraction (SSX) systems have been developed to recover nickel, cobalt, zinc and copper from sulphuric and chloride leach solutions by the solvent extraction team of CSIRO, Australia. These include (1) Versatic 10/CLX50 system for the separation of Ni from Ca in sulphate solutions, (2) Versatic 10/4PC systemfor the separation of Ni and Co fromMn/Mg/Ca in sulphate solutions, (3) Cyanex 471X/HRJ-4277 system for the separation of Zn from Cd in sulphate solutions, (4) Versatic 10/LIX63 systemfor the separation of Co from Mn/Mg/Ca in sulphate solutions, (5) Versatic 10/LIX63/TBP systemfor separation of Ni and Co fromMn/Mg/Ca in sulphate solutions, (6) Versatic 10/LIX63 systemfor the separation of cobalt fromnickel in sulphate solutions by difference in kinetics, (7) Cyanex 272/LIX84 system for the separation of Cu/Fe/Zn from Ni/Co in sulphate solutions, (8) Versatic 10/LIX63/TBP system to recover Cu/Ni from strong chloride solutions, and (9) Versatic 10/LIX63 system to separate Cu from Fe in strong chloride solutions.
The synergistic effect on metal separation and efficiency is presented and possible industrial applications are demonstrated. The chemical stability of selected SSX systems is also reported.

Key words: Synergistic solvent extraction, Nickel, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc