Solvent Extraction of Copper from Sulfate–Chloride Solutions Using LIX 84-IC and LIX 860-IC

ABSTRACT

The effect of chloride ions on the copper extraction equilibria, the rate of extraction, copper/iron selectivity, and chloride extraction was studied for organic phases containing pure ketoxime (LIX 84-IC) and pure nonylaldoxime (LIX 860N-IC). In these systems, the used aqueous phase contained total chloride concentrations from 0 to 110 g/l. It was determined that the chloride ions in the aqueous solution had a large negative effect on the extraction equilibria for LIX 84-IC and a small effect for LIX 860N-IC. This deleterious effect is attributed to an increase in the hydrogen ion activity coefficient in the presence of chloride ions. The chloride accelerated the rate of copper extraction even though the reaction was fast in all the tested conditions. An increase in the temperature from 25°C to 35°C affected positively the extraction equilibria for LIX 84-IC.

KEYWORDS:

• Solvent extraction
• copper extraction
• hydroxyoximes
• LIX 84-IC
• LIX 860N-IC

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge BASF Chile S.A. for providing kindly the organic extractants and OXIQUIM S.A. for providing the diluent.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica – CONICYT, proyecto FONDECYT No. 1150343.