METHODS FOR COPPER EXTRACTION FROM PRECIPITATE AND USING OXIME MIXED WITH SODIUM CARBONATE

Abstract

The paper covers experimental and theoretical studies of technical solutions for copper liquid extraction by organic extractants from sulfuric acid solutions that neutralize the negative effect of hydrogen ions released as a result of copper cations interaction with oximes on the copper extraction into the organic phase, and increase the technical and economic parameters of the process. In order to reduce the volume of processed solutions, copper extraction by the extractant solution in a diluent from the previously obtained thickened copper precipitate by sodium carbonate addition was studied. Subsequent operations for copper organic phase purification from metal impurities and re-extraction were carried out by methods known in liquid extraction. It was experimentally found that the use of copper pre-concentration in the precipitate makes it possible to increase the copper content in the extractant by 3—4 times to 1 g per 1 % (abs.) of the oxime content in the organic phase. It is required to maintain a ratio of 2 moles of oxime to 1 mole of copper in the precipitate to ensure rapid delamination and full extraction of copper. Dependencies of parameters were calculated for the stages of copper extraction from the thickened solution precipitate and extract washing. It was shown that extraction system parameters can be increased by using copper from the extractant emulsion solution obtained by mixing the oxime solution in a diluent and the aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. Based on the results of experiments, extractant emulsion with sodium carbonate added into the first stage of the extraction process makes it possible to significantly increase the copper distribution coefficient and saturate the extractant in terms of copper as much as possible. Maximum copper extraction from the solution is achieved at a molar ratio of carbonate and oxime in the emulsion equal to 1 : 2. The proposed technical solutions increase distribution coefficients and maximize the extractant working capacity during copper extraction. The lower volume of phases involved in extraction results in a substantially reduced number of extraction equipment and costs of raffinate purification from extractant and diluent destruction products. The proposed extraction methods can be used to extract copper from natural and technological sulfuric acid solutions, for example from mine waters and solutions generated when processing mineral raw materials and man-made waste.