Extraction of Copper(II) from Chloride Systems with Individual and Mixed Extractants

Abstract

Extraction of copper(II) and zinc(II) from acidic chloride solutions with individual extractants, binary mixtures of two extractants and bifunctional extractants is discussed. Neutral pyridine type extractants with electron withdrawing substituents can be used for copper recovery from concentrated chloride solutions. Stripping can be accomplished with water. Binary mixtures containing a basic or solvating extractant and a chelating extractant permit the recovery of copper(II) and zinc(II) from acidic chloride solutions with the change from a chloride to a sulphate system. The method is also suitable for separating copper(II) from zinc(II) at the extraction, scrubbing or stripping stage. The use of ALAMINE 336 and LIX 54 is proposed when iron(III) is absent or ACORGA CLX 50 and LIX 54 when Fe(III) is present in the aqueous feed. KELEX 100 and LIX 26 can be considered as bifunctional extractants and can be used to recover both copper(II) and zinc(II) from acidic chloride solutions in the absence of iron(III) and to separate these metal ions at the extraction, scrubbing or stripping stage.