Removal of CU2+ from copper flotation waste leachant using sepiolite: Full factorial design approach

Abstract

Copper flotation waste which is the product pyrometalurgical production of copper from copper ores contains materials such as iron, alumina, calcium oxide, silica, etc. Copper flotation waste generally contains a significant amount of Cu together with trace elements of other toxic metals such as Zn, Co and Pb. A variety of techniques can be used for decontaminating and remediating copper slag. Environmental remediation technologies include in situ or ex situ techniques for decontaminating the polluted fields, such as soil-washing, physical separation, phytoremediation and leaching. The aim of the present study is to investigate the removal of the copper from copper flotation waste leachant using sepiolite. 23 full factorial design was employed to study the effect of three factors which are contact time, adsorbent dosage and pH at two levels.