Solvent extraction with LIX 973N for the selective separation of copper and nickel

IX 973N diluted with Iberfluid was used to co-extract copper and nickel fro m ammoniacal ammonium carbonate aqueous media. The influence of equilibrati on time, temperature, equilibrium pH and extractant concentration on the ex traction of both metals has been studied. It was observed that neither copp er nor nickel extraction is sensitive to temperature and equilibrium pH, ho wever nickel extraction equilibrium is reached at a longer contact time (20 min) than that of copper (5min), in addition nickel extraction depends grea tly on the extractant concentration in the organic phase. For a solution co ntaining 3 g dm(-3) each of copper and nickel and 60 g dm(-3) ammonium carb onate, conditions were established for the co-extraction of both metals, am monia scrubbing and selective stripping (with H2SO4) Of nickel and copper. Using the appropriate extractant concentration the yield (extraction stage) for both metals is near 100%, whereas the percentage of nickel and copper stripping is also almost quantitative. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industr y.