Simulation of Solvent Extraction Flowsheets by a Global Model Combining Physicochemical and Engineering Approaches—Application to Cobalt(II) Extraction by D2EHPA

ABSTRACT

The liquid-liquid extraction of cobalt(II) from an acidic chloride solution by using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) diluted in kerosene has been modelled by means of a combination of physicochemical and engineering approaches. This model is able to calculate the performance of solvent extraction flowsheets (residual fraction at the outlet of the flowsheet and concentration factor between the feed solution and eluate) as a function of pH, leach solution flowrate, solvent flowrate, and stripping solution flowrate. The influence of these parameters and mixer-settler arrangements on the performance of 11 flowsheets is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Solvent extraction
• modelling
• cobalt
• D2EHPA
• chloride

Acknowledgments

The author thanks the Labex Ressources21 for its support (ANR-10-LABX-21-01).