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Solvent Extraction Application Solvent Extraction Application in Non-Ferrous in Non-Ferrous

Metals Recovery Metals Recovery

SYMPOSIUM ON SOLVENT EXTRACTION REVISTED

– IIP & IIChE05-06 FEBRUARY 2010

NEW DELHI

Engineers India Ltd 2

HYDROMETALLURGYHYDROMETALLURGY

HydrometallurgyHydrometallurgy is part of the field of extractive is part of the field of extractive metallurgy involving the use of aqueous metallurgy involving the use of aqueous chemistry for the recovery of metals from ores, chemistry for the recovery of metals from ores, concentrates and recycled or residual materials. concentrates and recycled or residual materials. Hydrometallurgy is typically divided into three Hydrometallurgy is typically divided into three general areas:general areas:

Leaching Leaching Solution Concentration and Purification Solution Concentration and Purification Metal Recovery Metal Recovery


LEACHINGLEACHING LeachingLeaching involves the use of aqueous solutions containing a involves the use of aqueous solutions containing a

lixiviant ( liquid medium that selectively extracts the desired metal lixiviant ( liquid medium that selectively extracts the desired metal from the ore or material to be leached rapidly and completely and from the ore or material to be leached rapidly and completely and from which the desired metal can then be recovered in a from which the desired metal can then be recovered in a concentrated form ) which is brought into contact with a material concentrated form ) which is brought into contact with a material containing a valuable metal.containing a valuable metal.

The lixiviant in solution may be The lixiviant in solution may be acidicacidic or or basicbasic in nature. in nature. The type and concentration of the lixiviant is normally controlled to The type and concentration of the lixiviant is normally controlled to

allow some degree of selectivity for the metal or metals that are to allow some degree of selectivity for the metal or metals that are to be recovered.be recovered.

In the leaching process, oxidation potential, temperature, and pH In the leaching process, oxidation potential, temperature, and pH of the solution are important parameters and are often of the solution are important parameters and are often manipulated to optimize dissolution of the desired metal manipulated to optimize dissolution of the desired metal component into the aqueous phase.component into the aqueous phase.


SOLUTION CONCENTRATION AND PURIFICATION SOLUTION CONCENTRATION AND PURIFICATION

After leaching, the leach liquor must normally undergo After leaching, the leach liquor must normally undergo concentration of the metal ions that are to be recovered concentration of the metal ions that are to be recovered by solvent extraction. by solvent extraction.

Additionally, some undesirable metals may have also Additionally, some undesirable metals may have also reported into solution during the leach process. reported into solution during the leach process.

The solution is often purified to eliminate the undesirable The solution is often purified to eliminate the undesirable components. The processes employed for purification components. The processes employed for purification include:include:

Precipitation Precipitation Cementation Cementation


SOLVENT EXTRACTION SOLVENT EXTRACTION A mixture of an extractant in a diluent is used to extract a A mixture of an extractant in a diluent is used to extract a

metal from one phase to another eg LIX 64. metal from one phase to another eg LIX 64. In solvent extraction this mixture is often referred to as the In solvent extraction this mixture is often referred to as the

"organic" because the main constituent (diluent) is some "organic" because the main constituent (diluent) is some type of oil eg. Kerosene.type of oil eg. Kerosene.

The PLS (pregnant leach solution) is mixed to promote The PLS (pregnant leach solution) is mixed to promote contact with the stripped organic and allowed to separate in contact with the stripped organic and allowed to separate in Mixer Settler. Mixer Settler.

The valuable metal will be exchanged from the PLS to the The valuable metal will be exchanged from the PLS to the organic. organic.

The resulting streams will be a loaded organic and a The resulting streams will be a loaded organic and a raffinate. raffinate.


SOLVENT EXTRACTION - STRIPPINGSOLVENT EXTRACTION - STRIPPING

Before electro-winning, the loaded organic is then Before electro-winning, the loaded organic is then mixed to promote contact with a lean electrolyte mixed to promote contact with a lean electrolyte and allowed toand allowed to separate in mixer settler separate in mixer settler

The metal will be exchanged from the organic to the The metal will be exchanged from the organic to the lean electrolyte. lean electrolyte.

The resulting streams will be a stripped organic and a The resulting streams will be a stripped organic and a rich electrolyte. rich electrolyte.

The organic stream is recycled back to the solvent The organic stream is recycled back to the solvent extraction section extraction section

Rich electrolyte is sent to Electro-winning section Rich electrolyte is sent to Electro-winning section after filtering to arrest any entrained organic.after filtering to arrest any entrained organic.


ELECTROWINNINGELECTROWINNING

Electro-winning involves the recovery and purification Electro-winning involves the recovery and purification of metals using electrodeposition of metals at the of metals using electrodeposition of metals at the cathode.cathode.

The resulting products are metal cathode and lean The resulting products are metal cathode and lean electrolyte electrolyte

The lean electrolyte is cooled and recycled back for The lean electrolyte is cooled and recycled back for stripping unit.stripping unit.

Metal cathode sheets are sent to for melting and Metal cathode sheets are sent to for melting and castingcasting


APPLICATION OF APPLICATION OF SOLVENT EXTRACTION IN METALSSOLVENT EXTRACTION IN METALS

The practice of hydrometallurgy contains examples of a The practice of hydrometallurgy contains examples of a great number of diverse solvent extraction processes.great number of diverse solvent extraction processes.

Solvent extraction of metals such as copper, uranium, Solvent extraction of metals such as copper, uranium, cobalt and nickel, besides being of great economic cobalt and nickel, besides being of great economic significance has been the spur for the development of the significance has been the spur for the development of the engineering aspects of solvent extractionengineering aspects of solvent extraction

Besides the major metals there are commercial solvent Besides the major metals there are commercial solvent extraction processes operated for the recovery of metals extraction processes operated for the recovery of metals such as tungsten, rare-earths, thorium and vanadium.such as tungsten, rare-earths, thorium and vanadium.

Metals for which solvent extraction has succeeded and Metals for which solvent extraction has succeeded and the circumstances, which caused these metals to the circumstances, which caused these metals to become candidates for recovery by solvent extraction, become candidates for recovery by solvent extraction, have some common features:have some common features:



They are soluble in suitable lixiviants such as sulphuric They are soluble in suitable lixiviants such as sulphuric acid, ammonia and cyanideacid, ammonia and cyanide

They are relatively valuable. Copper, which is the lowest They are relatively valuable. Copper, which is the lowest priced metal recovered in significant quantities by solvent priced metal recovered in significant quantities by solvent extraction. Nickel, uranium and the precious metals are extraction. Nickel, uranium and the precious metals are more valuable.more valuable.

They can be recovered from the concentrated strip They can be recovered from the concentrated strip solution in a suitable marketable or intermediate form by solution in a suitable marketable or intermediate form by processes such as electro-winningprocesses such as electro-winning

Suitable solvent extraction chemistry has been developed Suitable solvent extraction chemistry has been developed and available for copper, nickel, uranium and other and available for copper, nickel, uranium and other precious metals.precious metals.



CopperCopper Around 25% of the world’s copper is recovered using solvent Around 25% of the world’s copper is recovered using solvent

extractionextraction The scope of solvent extraction for copper is only limited by the The scope of solvent extraction for copper is only limited by the

availability of acid leachable ore –oxides.availability of acid leachable ore –oxides. Solvent extraction is considered to be the lowest cost Solvent extraction is considered to be the lowest cost

production route for the production of quality cathode from low production route for the production of quality cathode from low grade oxide ores.grade oxide ores.

Considerable attention is being directed towards development Considerable attention is being directed towards development of suitable leaching techniques for chalcopyrite, the most of suitable leaching techniques for chalcopyrite, the most ubiquitous of all copper minerals yet no commercial process is ubiquitous of all copper minerals yet no commercial process is available.available.

Oxime based extractants took a giant step forward in 1974 Oxime based extractants took a giant step forward in 1974 when ZCCM commissioned their 80,000 tonne per annum SX-when ZCCM commissioned their 80,000 tonne per annum SX-EW plant at NchangaEW plant at Nchanga


COPPER RECOVERY CURCUITCOPPER RECOVERY CURCUIT


TYPICAL FLOW-SHEET OF SX/EW PLANTTYPICAL FLOW-SHEET OF SX/EW PLANT

The Slide shows a typical flow-sheet of hydrometallurgical copper The Slide shows a typical flow-sheet of hydrometallurgical copper processing, which consists of three fundamental unit operations:processing, which consists of three fundamental unit operations:

Leaching Leaching of copper ore with a week acidic solution, which usually is of copper ore with a week acidic solution, which usually is sulfuric acid,sulfuric acid,

Solvent ExtractionSolvent Extraction:: In which the aqueous pregnant leach solution In which the aqueous pregnant leach solution (PLS) is vigorously mixed with an organic solvent, selectively (PLS) is vigorously mixed with an organic solvent, selectively recovers copper from PLS, being acidic or ammonia solution. The recovers copper from PLS, being acidic or ammonia solution. The organic solvent is then separated and the copper stripped from it with organic solvent is then separated and the copper stripped from it with a recycled lean electrolyte solution to produce a concentrated, a recycled lean electrolyte solution to produce a concentrated, relatively pure copper electrolyte suitable for the final step–relatively pure copper electrolyte suitable for the final step–electrowinnig.electrowinnig.

EectrowinningEectrowinning:: Copper-rich solution is filtered to remove entrained Copper-rich solution is filtered to remove entrained organics, heated and then passed through a series of electrolytic organics, heated and then passed through a series of electrolytic cells to yeild high quality copper cathodes. cells to yeild high quality copper cathodes.


MAJOR COPPER EXTRACTANTSMAJOR COPPER EXTRACTANTS Developments of extractants based on hydroxyoximes were the key for Developments of extractants based on hydroxyoximes were the key for

copper solvent extraction.copper solvent extraction. The important issue for researchers has been an increase of extractant The important issue for researchers has been an increase of extractant

strength and consequently an improvement of stripping efficiencystrength and consequently an improvement of stripping efficiency The mixture, LIX64N, (blend of LIX 64 and LIX 63) extractant has been the The mixture, LIX64N, (blend of LIX 64 and LIX 63) extractant has been the

popular choice for commercial copper extraction from acidic leach solutionpopular choice for commercial copper extraction from acidic leach solution

Chelating hydroxyoxime extractants for copper Chelating hydroxyoxime extractants for copper TYPE TRADE NAME

Ketoxime LIX® 64

Ketoxime LIX® 65N

Ketoxime LIX® 84

Aldoxime Acorga® P50

Aldoxime LIX® 860



NICKELNICKEL In comparison to copper and uranium the percentage of the world’s In comparison to copper and uranium the percentage of the world’s

nickel which is recovered using SX is relatively smallnickel which is recovered using SX is relatively small Today a number of Australasian laterite projects are developing nickel Today a number of Australasian laterite projects are developing nickel

SX circuits which are in part based on the Queensland Nickel SX SX circuits which are in part based on the Queensland Nickel SX technologytechnology

PROCESS AND EXTRACTANTSPROCESS AND EXTRACTANTS Sulphide nickel is usually treated using pyrometallurgical routes but in Sulphide nickel is usually treated using pyrometallurgical routes but in

recent years there has been intensive activity in the development of recent years there has been intensive activity in the development of hydrometallurgical routes for both sulphide concentrates and laterite hydrometallurgical routes for both sulphide concentrates and laterite oresores

Nickel deposits may contain valuable quantities of cobalt and copper Nickel deposits may contain valuable quantities of cobalt and copper and these must also be recovered by SX if they are present in sufficient and these must also be recovered by SX if they are present in sufficient quantity.quantity.

There is a number of potential nickel extractants and circuit There is a number of potential nickel extractants and circuit configurationsconfigurations


APPLICATION OF APPLICATION OF SOLVENT EXTRACTION IN METALSOLVENT EXTRACTION IN METAL

CIRCUIT-1CIRCUIT-1 Direct solvent extraction of copper, cobalt and nickel from acid leach Direct solvent extraction of copper, cobalt and nickel from acid leach solutions using oximes, phosphinic acids and versatic acids to extract copper, solutions using oximes, phosphinic acids and versatic acids to extract copper, cobalt and nickel in sequence. cobalt and nickel in sequence.

CIRCUIT-2CIRCUIT-2. Matte leach chloride solutions may be purified by iron extraction with . Matte leach chloride solutions may be purified by iron extraction with TBP followed by cobalt and copper co extraction as chloride complexes with TBP followed by cobalt and copper co extraction as chloride complexes with tertiary amine.tertiary amine.

Nickel does not form chloride complexes and remains in the raffinate. It may Nickel does not form chloride complexes and remains in the raffinate. It may be recovered by crystallization and hydrogen reduction.be recovered by crystallization and hydrogen reduction.

CIRCUIT-3CIRCUIT-3 The base metals (Ni, Cu, Co, Zn) may be precipitated as hydroxides The base metals (Ni, Cu, Co, Zn) may be precipitated as hydroxides from sulphate leach solutions , re-dissolved in ammonia, the cobalt may be from sulphate leach solutions , re-dissolved in ammonia, the cobalt may be oxidised and the copper and nickel co-extracted with ketoxime oxidised and the copper and nickel co-extracted with ketoxime

Of the above circuits, the ammonia leach circuit has received the greatest interest Of the above circuits, the ammonia leach circuit has received the greatest interest in the recent years for the recovery of nickelin the recent years for the recovery of nickel


NICKEL LATERITE ORE TREATMENTNICKEL LATERITE ORE TREATMENT



UraniumUranium

The first metal to be recovered in significant The first metal to be recovered in significant quantities using solvent extraction was uranium.quantities using solvent extraction was uranium.

In 1957 the first commercial solvent extraction plant In 1957 the first commercial solvent extraction plant using amines was opened in the USA.using amines was opened in the USA.

Today most of the world’s uranium is recovered in Today most of the world’s uranium is recovered in hydrometallurgical circuits involving solvent hydrometallurgical circuits involving solvent extractionextraction

Extractant used is Tertiary aminesExtractant used is Tertiary amines



PRECIOUS METALSPRECIOUS METALS

Although the quantity of precious metals currently Although the quantity of precious metals currently recovered using circuits that involve solvent recovered using circuits that involve solvent extraction is small, the value of these metals is extraction is small, the value of these metals is significantsignificant

Mintek, South Africa has developed a gold refining Mintek, South Africa has developed a gold refining process based on solvent extraction and there process based on solvent extraction and there exists a potential for gold recovery by solvent exists a potential for gold recovery by solvent extractionextraction

In the refining of platinum group elements solvent In the refining of platinum group elements solvent extraction plays an important role.extraction plays an important role.


THE CHEMISTRY OF THE SOLVENT EXTRACTION THE CHEMISTRY OF THE SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF THE MAJOR METALSOF THE MAJOR METALS

Sudderth and Kordosky have given a useful classification of the Sudderth and Kordosky have given a useful classification of the four basic classes of metal extractants and have compared four basic classes of metal extractants and have compared these extractant classes on the basis of structure, extraction these extractant classes on the basis of structure, extraction chemistry and the metal species extractedchemistry and the metal species extracted

The four classes are:The four classes are:

1. Chelation Extractants1. Chelation Extractants 2. Ion Pair Extractants2. Ion Pair Extractants 3. Neutral or Solvating Extractants3. Neutral or Solvating Extractants 4. Organic Acid Extractants4. Organic Acid Extractants


EXTRACTANT CLASS : CHELATING AGENTEXTRACTANT CLASS : CHELATING AGENT

FORMULA OR STRUCTURE

EXTRACTION CHEMISTRY


EXTRACTANT CLASS : CHELATING AGENTEXTRACTANT CLASS : CHELATING AGENT MODIFIERS MODIFIERS ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS, ESTERS (TXIB) ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS, ESTERS (TXIB)

KETOXIMES/ALDOXIME MIXTURESKETOXIMES/ALDOXIME MIXTURES

SPECIAL FEATURESSPECIAL FEATURES Main commercial extractants for copperMain commercial extractants for copper Operate on hydrogen ion cycle. Stripping is reverse of Operate on hydrogen ion cycle. Stripping is reverse of

extractionextraction Function with acid and ammoniacal leach solutionsFunction with acid and ammoniacal leach solutions More selective than other extractant classesMore selective than other extractant classes Kinetically slower than ion pair extractantsKinetically slower than ion pair extractants Have good physical properties in terms of phase separation, Have good physical properties in terms of phase separation,

low aqueous solubility, chemical stabilitylow aqueous solubility, chemical stability Relatively expensive to manufactureRelatively expensive to manufacture


EXTRACTANT CLASS : ION-PAIR EXTRACTANTSEXTRACTANT CLASS : ION-PAIR EXTRACTANTS


EXTRACTANT CLASS : ION-PAIR EXTRACTANTSEXTRACTANT CLASS : ION-PAIR EXTRACTANTS

MODIFIERS IMODIFIERS I SODECANOL OR TRIDECANOL, AROMATIC DILUENTSODECANOL OR TRIDECANOL, AROMATIC DILUENT

SPECIAL FEATURESSPECIAL FEATURES Commercial extractants for uranium, thorium, vanadium, gold, cobalt Commercial extractants for uranium, thorium, vanadium, gold, cobalt

and other metalsand other metals Modifiers promote solubility of the extractant - metal complex in the Modifiers promote solubility of the extractant - metal complex in the

diluentsdiluents Kinetics, both extraction and stripping are fastKinetics, both extraction and stripping are fast Extraction is usually of a metal anion complex Extraction is usually of a metal anion complex Selectivity is not high. Other anions can compete with the metal being Selectivity is not high. Other anions can compete with the metal being

extractedextracted Tertiary amines are more selective than primary and secondary aminesTertiary amines are more selective than primary and secondary amines Selectivity can be pH dependentSelectivity can be pH dependent Primary, secondary and tertiary amines are relatively easy to producePrimary, secondary and tertiary amines are relatively easy to produce


EXTRACTANT CLASS : NEUTRAL OR SOLVATING EXTRACTANT CLASS : NEUTRAL OR SOLVATING EXTRACTANTSEXTRACTANTS

FORMULA OR STRUCTUREFORMULA OR STRUCTURE Tri Octyl Phosphine Oxide(TOPO) RTri Octyl Phosphine Oxide(TOPO) R33P = OP = O

Tri Butyl Phosphate (TBP) (RO)Tri Butyl Phosphate (TBP) (RO)33POPO

Ketones (MIBK) RKetones (MIBK) R22CO CO Alcohols ROHAlcohols ROH

R = CHR = CH33 and (CH and (CH33))22CHCHCHCH22

EXTRACTION CHEMISTRYEXTRACTION CHEMISTRY Extraction is by adduct formationExtraction is by adduct formation Stripping is with concentrated HNOStripping is with concentrated HNO33

SPECIAL FEATURESSPECIAL FEATURES • • TBP is used extensively in nuclear fuel reprocessingTBP is used extensively in nuclear fuel reprocessing • • Kinetically fastKinetically fast • • Extract neutral metal complexesExtract neutral metal complexes • • Selectivity is lowSelectivity is low • • Organometallic complex must be organic solubleOrganometallic complex must be organic soluble


EXTRACTANT CLASS : ORGANIC ACID EXTRACTANTSEXTRACTANT CLASS : ORGANIC ACID EXTRACTANTS

FORMULA OR STRUCTUREFORMULA OR STRUCTURE Phosphinic Acids RPhosphinic Acids R33 P(O) OH P(O) OH

Sulphonic Acids R SOSulphonic Acids R SO22OHOH

Carboxylic Acids RCarboxylic Acids R33C - COOH, Versatic AcidC - COOH, Versatic Acid

Phosphoric Acids (CPhosphoric Acids (C44HH99CH(CCH(C22HH55)CH)CH22O)O)22 POOH, POOH,

D2EHPA D2EHPA

SPECIAL FEATURESSPECIAL FEATURES Phosphinic acids are widely used for cobalt extractionPhosphinic acids are widely used for cobalt extraction Versatic acids can be used for Cu and Ni extractionVersatic acids can be used for Cu and Ni extraction D2EHPA extracts a wide range of metalsD2EHPA extracts a wide range of metals Operate on a hydrogen ion cycle but do not display hydrogen ion Operate on a hydrogen ion cycle but do not display hydrogen ion

stoichiometry. Often between 1 and 2 moles of extractant are required stoichiometry. Often between 1 and 2 moles of extractant are required for each mole of hydrogen produced during extraction. for each mole of hydrogen produced during extraction.

Selectivity is poor and careful pH control may be required to achieve Selectivity is poor and careful pH control may be required to achieve reasonable selectivityreasonable selectivity


SOLVENT EXTRACTION- SOLVENT EXTRACTION- EXTRACTOR / EQUIPMENT SEXTRACTOR / EQUIPMENT S

For the major metals recovered by solvent For the major metals recovered by solvent extraction the mixer-settler contactor design extraction the mixer-settler contactor design predominatespredominates

There is a range of mixer settler designs available There is a range of mixer settler designs available In recent years there has been some attention In recent years there has been some attention

refocused on the use of pulsed columns for plants refocused on the use of pulsed columns for plants using the kinetically fast ion- exchange using the kinetically fast ion- exchange extractantsextractants

Some features of mixer-settlers and columns areSome features of mixer-settlers and columns are


MIXER SETTLERMIXER SETTLER

Mixer SettlersMixer Settlers

Well established with literally hundreds of operating units.Well established with literally hundreds of operating units. Design parameters are well established and very large units Design parameters are well established and very large units

treating over 1000 cubic metres per hour of Pregnant leach treating over 1000 cubic metres per hour of Pregnant leach solution can be designed from bench scalesolution can be designed from bench scale

Excellent mixing characteristics with control of the optimum Excellent mixing characteristics with control of the optimum droplet size claimed to be possible with modern turbine designsdroplet size claimed to be possible with modern turbine designs

Prediction of capital and operating costs is accurate.Prediction of capital and operating costs is accurate. The phases are readily accessible for sampling and examination The phases are readily accessible for sampling and examination

in situ.in situ. Several design varieties are availableSeveral design varieties are available


MIXER-SETTLERS MIXER-SETTLERS


COLUMN CONTACTORSCOLUMN CONTACTORS

Column ContactorsColumn ContactorsAdvantages claimed for the column contactor includeAdvantages claimed for the column contactor include

Low area requirementsLow area requirements Multiple stages within one unitMultiple stages within one unit Few moving partsFew moving parts Low entrainmentLow entrainment Good vapor conservationGood vapor conservation

Column installations require piloting for each installation and the Column installations require piloting for each installation and the flooding conditions for the column must be determined. Olympic Dam flooding conditions for the column must be determined. Olympic Dam Corporation in South Australia has installed a large column plant for Corporation in South Australia has installed a large column plant for uranium extraction. The long residence times in a column compared to uranium extraction. The long residence times in a column compared to a mixer settler can influence the selectivity of the extraction if a mixer settler can influence the selectivity of the extraction if contaminants have slow extraction kinetics.contaminants have slow extraction kinetics.


EIL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVENT EXTRACTIONEIL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVENT EXTRACTION

Feasibility Reports on Heap Leaching for Solvent Feasibility Reports on Heap Leaching for Solvent Extraction of Copper Oxide ores.Extraction of Copper Oxide ores.

Scale up, Process package, Engineering and Setting Scale up, Process package, Engineering and Setting up of Demonstration Pilot plant for recovery of up of Demonstration Pilot plant for recovery of copper, nickel and cobalt values from Poly Metallic copper, nickel and cobalt values from Poly Metallic Ocean Nodules (PMN).Ocean Nodules (PMN).

Plant successfully commissioned in 2002 and Plant successfully commissioned in 2002 and Demonstrated the design values through number of Demonstrated the design values through number of test campaigns in 2003- 2004.test campaigns in 2003- 2004.


PMN PILOT PLANTPMN PILOT PLANT

A VIEW OF SOLVENT

EXTRACTION AND

ELECTROWINNING CIRCUIT

AT PMN PILOT PLANT


EIL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVENT EXTRACTION EIL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVENT EXTRACTION PMNPMN

The leaching of ocean nodules was done by IMMT (RRL-B) The leaching of ocean nodules was done by IMMT (RRL-B) developed process- AMMONIA –SOdeveloped process- AMMONIA –SO2 2 Leach Route Leach Route

Metals like copper, nickel, cobalt and zinc were solubalised as Metals like copper, nickel, cobalt and zinc were solubalised as their amine complexes leaving iron and manganese as residues.their amine complexes leaving iron and manganese as residues.

Major portion of copper recovered using LIX 84 as extractantMajor portion of copper recovered using LIX 84 as extractant The raffinate from copper extraction was subjected to sulphide The raffinate from copper extraction was subjected to sulphide

precipitation precipitation Bulk sulphide precipitate, on sulphuric acid leaching generated Bulk sulphide precipitate, on sulphuric acid leaching generated

the leach liquor for further solvent extraction to recover the the leach liquor for further solvent extraction to recover the nickel and cobalt by a BARC developed three steps process.nickel and cobalt by a BARC developed three steps process.


EIL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVENT EXTRACTION EIL EXPERIENCE IN SOLVENT EXTRACTION PMNPMN

In the first step , the impurity metals (copper, zinc and iron) were In the first step , the impurity metals (copper, zinc and iron) were removed by extraction with partially saponified 0.5M D2EHPA and removed by extraction with partially saponified 0.5M D2EHPA and 5% isodecanol in kerosene.5% isodecanol in kerosene.

In the second step cobalt was extracted by PC88A from the raffinate In the second step cobalt was extracted by PC88A from the raffinate solution coming out of first step containing cobalt and nickel.solution coming out of first step containing cobalt and nickel.

In the third step Nickel was extracted by partially saponified D2EHPA In the third step Nickel was extracted by partially saponified D2EHPA from the raffinate of second stepfrom the raffinate of second step

The process was successfully demonstrated at specially set-up PMN The process was successfully demonstrated at specially set-up PMN Pilot Plant at HZLPilot Plant at HZL

The PMN Plant also had EW circuitThe PMN Plant also had EW circuit All the three metals were successfully recovered in the form of All the three metals were successfully recovered in the form of

Cathode SheetsCathode Sheets


METAL CATHODE SHEETSMETAL CATHODE SHEETS

NICKEL, COBALT AND COPPER CATHODE

SHEETS SUCCESSFULLY PRODUCED AT PMN

PILOT PLANT

Engineers India Ltd

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