Leaching of non-ferrous metals using a microemulsion in the system sodium dodecyl sulfate–butanol–caproic acid–kerosene–water

Abstract

The possibility of using reverse microemulsion based on sodium dodecyl sulfate containing an extractant caproic acid for the selective recovery of non-ferrous metals and their separation from iron in the process of microemulsion leaching has been demonstrated. Using a model system with a mixture of oxides, the following recovery factors of metals are achieved in 5 h of leaching (%): Cu, 47.6; Mn, 12.8; Ni, 9.4; Co, 9.1; Fe, 4.3. When leaching from a sample of oxidized cobalt–copper concentrate, the recovery of metals is as follows (%): Cu, 60.0; Co, 51.3; Mn, 16.5; Fe, 10.0; Ni, 9.3.