RECOVERY OF COPPER FROM LEACHING RESIDUAL SOLUTIONS BY MEANS OF A HOLLOW-FIBER MEMBRANE EXTRACTOR

A process of recovery of copper from acid leach residual solution with 5-dodecylsalicylaldoxime dissolved in n-hexane was carried out at 30 degrees C in a countercurrent tubular membrane extractor using a hollo w fiber as solid support. The effect of the extractant concentration a nd the pH of the feed aqueous solution on the metal transfer rate and extent of extraction were investigated. It was found that both the flu x of metal and extraction extent were highly influenced by the extract ant concentration, and slightly by the pH of feed solution. No co-tran sport of other metallic ions was observed over a pH value of 1.9, allo wing attainment of a copper-loaded organic solvent free of impurities.