On increasing the efficiency of multistage extractive separation of metals

Abstract

Two possibilities have been considered for improving the operation of a cascade of mixer-settler extractors, i.e., a new connection scheme between process vessels and a new chromatographic mode for carrying out the process. Studies on cobalt and nickel separation have been performed using an experimental setup and technological solutions taken from cobalt production with Cyanex extractants. A comparison of results obtained using the experimental setup with the data of an production plant operation has shown that the new scheme results in a marked increase in the productivity and efficiency of metal separation in a cascade of mixer-settler extractors. Based on numerical studies, it has been found that the cyclic process in the chromatographic mode allows one to separate a multicomponent mixture using a single operation.