Studies on the liquid-liquid extraction of mercury(II) from acidic chloride solutions using Cyanex 923

The extraction of mercury(II) from dilute hydrochloric acid solutions has b een investigated using Cyanex 923 (= TRPO) as an extractant. The extraction data have been analysed by both graphical and theoretical methods taking i nto account aqueous phase speciation and all plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. The results demonstrate that mercury(II) is extract ed into xylene as HgCl2. 3TRPO. IR spectral studies of the extracted comple x were used to further clarify the nature of the extracted complex. The loa ding capacity of the solvent was determined. The effect of the diluent on t he extraction process of mercury has been studied and correlated with diele ctric constants. The developed extraction procedure has been explored for t he recovery of mercury from the brine-sludge of Chlor-Alkali industry. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.