REMOVAL OF ARSENIC FROM COPPER ELECTROLYTES BY SOLVENT-EXTRACTION WITH TRIBUTYLPHOSPHATE

Arsenic is not a desirable component in copper electrorefining solutio ns although it is an element that is commonly found in normal plant pr actice. The present work describes a process which uses tributylphosph ate for the removal of arsenic from these solutions. The extraction sy stem is studied in terms of different variables such as: extraction an d stripping kinetics, loading isotherms both for extraction and stripp ing operations, effect of the phase disengagement and selectivity of t he system. On the basis of results obtained a flow-sheet diagram for t he treatment of a stream of 1.131/h of a partially decopperized electr olyte is also proposed. Copyright (C) 1996 Canadian Institute of Minin g and Metallurgy.