Extraction and Enrichment of Copper by Liquid Emulsion Membrane Using LIX 664N

Abstract

Process intensification using liquid emulsion membranes (LEMs) for extraction of copper has been studied in this work. In LEM process the extraction and stripping processes are combined in one stage. The solubility of the solute or the chemical affinity between the solute and carrier reagent in the membrane results in the separation of the solute from the feed mixture. In this work the membrane phase comprised of LIX 664N as the extractant dissolved in kerosene and Span 80 as surfactant. The stripping phase was sulfuric acid with 180 g/l concentration and feed phase had copper concentration of 3.5 g/l. Effect of various process parameters such as batch contact time, speed of agitation, W:O ratio and treat ratio has been experimentally investigated to get better insight of the process. The maximum enrichment of copper in the internal phase obtained was 11.6 times with batch contact time of 10 minutes, agitation speed of 300 rpm and treat ratio of 6:1.