The Effect of LIX 63 Hydroxyoxime Degradation Products on Kinetics-Based Metal Extraction

Abstract

The potential of the LIX® 63 hydroxyoxime/Versatic 10 combination to kinetically directly separate cobalt (1 g/L) from a nickel rich (20 g/L) synthetic leach solution while rejecting impurities has been highlighted previously. In the present work, the stability of the LIX 63 hydroxyoxime has been assessed under conditions relevant to a commercially prospective kinetics-based operation, and the results compared with those obtained in previously investigated equilibrium-based systems. Importantly, no adverse effect of the four main hydroxyoxime degradation products on metal extraction and stripping kinetics was found, even when these were added at high concentrations.

Keywords:

• LIX 63 hydroxyoxime
• synergist
• kinetic
• degradation
• stability
• solvent extraction

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The support of Teck Resources Limited, the Minerals Down Under Flagship and the Parker Centre are gratefully acknowledged. Mr. Milan Chovancek, Mr. Bruno Latella, and Mr. Elsayed Oraby (CSIRO) are thanked for ICP results. BASF (formerly Cognis) and Shell Australia are thanked for provision of LIX 63, and ShellSol D70 and Versatic 10, respectively.

Notes

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