Removal of Toxic Elements from Copper Electrolyte by Solvent Extraction

Abstract

Extractants and processes used and proposed for recovery of arsenic, antimony and bismuth from copper electrolytes are presented and discussed. The use of the following extractants is duscussed: tributyl phosphate, partial esters of phosphoric acid (mono(2-ehtylhexyl)phosphoric acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and mono(isooctadecyl) phosphoric acid, - DS 5834), esters of alkylphosphonic acids, trialkylphosphine oxide, CYANEX® 923 extractant, hydroxamic acids, LIX 1104, alcohols (2-ethyIhexanol and others), hydrophobic diols and alkylpolyphenols. The chemistry and processes are presented and discussed.

Keywords:

• Extraction
• extractants
• arsenic
• antimony bismuth
• copper electrolyte