Effect of chloride ions on the copper extraction using LIX 984N and acorga M5910

Abstract

Presently, several copper mining plants in Chile are treating by solvent extraction aqueous solutions that contain high concentrations of chloride ions. The effect of chloride ions on the extraction of copper from chloride-sulfate solutions using the commercial extractants LIX 984N and Acorga M5910 was investigated. Copper extraction isotherms were determined at 25 and 35 °C for aqueous solutions of pH 2, containing 6 g/l of Cu(II), 5 g/l of Fe(II) and 2 g/l of Fe(III) with 0, 60 and 110 g/l of chloride ions. The organic solutions used were 26%v/v solutions of LIX 984N or Acorga M5910 in Escaid 110. It was determined that the presence of chloride ions affected negatively the copper extraction equilibria for both extractants, while a temperature increase from 25 to 35 °C produced only a small increment in the copper extraction. On the other hand, a temperature increase affected negatively the stripping equilibria.