ACobaltSolventExtractionInvestigationinAfricasCopper.pptVIP

A Cobalt Solvent Extraction Investigation in Africa’s Copper Belt Tanja K?nighofer Premium-Grade Co-Metal Specification Premium Grade Co Metal = $34/lb (August 2008) CoEW Electrolyte Composition A Co-Circuit Flowsheet Testwork Objectives Produce a raffinate stream containing 10mg/L cobalt in order to minimise cobalt losses. Limit the amount of magnesium, reporting to the cobalt electrowinning circuit to less than 5% of that contained in the feed to the cobalt solvent-extraction circuit. Test pre-neutralisation with 10M NaOH. Determine the zinc build-up within the cobalt solvent extraction strip circuit. Theory 2AH+ + M2+ ? A2Mn2+ + 2H+ A represents R2P(O)O- Overbar represents a species in the organic phase. . R2P(O)OH(org)+NaOH(aq) ? R2P(O)ONa(org)+H2O(aq) Order of Metal Extraction of Cyanex 272 vs pH Fe3+Zn2+Al3+Cu2+Mn2+Co2+Mg2+Ca2+Ni2+. Extraction Isotherm with McCabe-Thiele Plot 1 2 3 4 Stripping Isotherm versus McCabe-Thiele Plot 1 2 3 CoSX Circuit Co Mg Extraction efficiencies pH in final extraction stage Co Slippage 100% Co Extraction [Mg] in aqueous phase in extraction circuit ? ? [Mg] in the organic phase Extraction Scrub Strip Mg scrubbing efficiency 5% Mg reporting to strip circuit achievable in 3 stages 5% Mg reporting to strip circuit achievable in 1 stage, if Mg loading in extraction is limited [Co] in organic phase of E1 final scrub stage 3 Scrub stages 1 Scrub stage [Zn] in S1 pH = 3.5 [Zn] in S3 [H2SO4] = 8 to 9g/L Conclusions Recommendations Extraction 18% (v/v) Cyanex 272 in aliphatic diluent 4 Stages using 40g/L NaOH for pH control 1 pre-neutralisation stage using 10M NaOH Increase pH profile in extraction using pre-neutralisation [Co] 10mg/L in Raffinate 99% Co extraction efficiency pH profile of 4.9 in E1 and 5.7 in E4 Phase ratio = 1.0 Mg scrubbing enhanced by decreased pH profile from E4 to E1 Conclusions and Recommendations Scrubbing Scrub liquor = advance electrolyte (55g/L Co) O:A = 40 5% Mg from feed reports to loaded