Modeling of the Extraction Equilibrium of Copper from Sulfate Solutions with Acorga M5640

Agarwal, S.; Reis, M.T.A.; Ismael, M.R.C.; Correia, M.J.N.; Carvalho, J.M.R.

Key information

Authors:

Agarwal, S.; Reis, M.T.A. (Maria Tereza Angelino Reis); Ismael, M.R.C. (Maria Rosinda Da Costa Ismael); Correia, M.J.N. (Maria Joana Castelo-Branco de Assis Teixeira Neiva Correia); Carvalho, J.M.R. (Jorge Manuel Rodrigues de Carvalho)

Published in

08/01/2012

Abstract

The extraction equilibrium of copper from sulfate media with the aldoxime Acorga M5640 in ShellSol D70 has been investigated. The distribution results were interpreted by taking into account the nonideality of the aqueous phase. The activity of copper and hydrogen ions in the target systems CuSO4/H2SO4/Na2SO4 and CuSO4/H2SO4/Fe2(SO4)3/ZnSO4 were calculated through the speciation of the aqueous solutions and by applying the Pitzer model. The experimental pH values were found in good agreement with the predicted pH values. A model considering the dimerization of the aldoxime extractant was proposed to predict the distribution ratio and the copper loading isotherms. The extraction constant at infinite dilution and the apparent dimerization constant were evaluated from the experimental data and were found to be 10^3.06 +- 0.07 and 51 +- 9 M-1, respectively, at 25 ºC.