Removal of Impurities from Nickel and Cobalt in Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate with Solvent Extraction Using Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the removal of major impurities, namely Fe, Al, Zn, and Mn, in a solution produced by sulfuric acid leaching of mixed hydroxide precipitate from the Ni and Co via solvent extraction using di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA). The results of extraction experiments showed that the extracted Ni, Co, Fe, Al, Zn, Mn, and Mg increased as the equilibrium pH, D2EHPA concentration, and O/A ratio increased. The optimum extraction condition was achieved at a pH of 3.5, a 20% (v/v) D2EHPA concentration, and an O/A ratio of 1, with a complete (>99.9%) extraction of Al, Fe, Zn, and 97.33% Mn with co-extracted Ni and Co of 22.32% and 29.13%, respectively, in a single extraction stage. Complete Mn removal can be achieved in two extraction stages. Co-extracted Ni and Co can be scrubbed out using a mild sulfuric acid solution at a pH of 1.2 with only less than 2% of the Al, Fe, Zn, and Mn co-scrubbed. McCabe-Thiele diagrams of the scrubbing processes were constructed, and the results showed that Ni and Co can be scrubbed out using a mild acidic solution at a pH of 1.2, O/A ratio of 1, and temperature of 40°C for 10 min of mixing. Zn and Mn can be stripped completely using 0.5 M sulfuric acid solution at an O/A of 1 and temperature of 40°C for 10 min of mixing, while Fe and Al remained unstripped. Fe and Al can subsequently be stripped via reductive stripping.