EXTRACTION OF ZINC FROM AMMONIACAL AMMONIUM SULFATE-SOLUTIONS BY LIX-54/

The extraction of zinc from ammoniacal/ammonium sulphate aqueous media using LIX 54 has been studied. The metal extraction rate has been exa mined and also the effect of temperature on the extraction of zinc (De lta H degrees = -8.8 kJ mol(-1)). The effect of the aqueous pH, and th erefore zinc ammine complex formation, on the extraction of zinc was s tudied. Stripping of the metal from loaded organic phases was carried out at various rates, temperatures (Delta H degrees = 3.2 kJ mol(-1)) and sulphuric acid concentrations. The results obtained were compared with others obtained from the literature wherein different extractants were used. (C) 1998 SCI.