Recovery of copper from ammoniacal/ammonium sulfate medium by LIX 54

The extraction-stripping reaction of Cu(II) by LIX 54 in Iberfluid from aqueous ammonium sulfate medium at pH 8.5 has been investigated. The effects of pH, metal ion, extractant concentration as well as the loading capacity of the reagent were studied. The extraction equilibrium constant for copper was determined numerically to be 7 x 10(-7). Experimental data can be explained assuming the formation of CuR2 species in the organic phase (R represents the extractant). Copper stripping was studied using typical spent copper electrowinning solutions as stripping medium. The number of stages required for the extraction and stripping of copper was also evaluated. The results were used to asses the conditions for purification of industrial waste solutions (eg spent etchants) containing copper through counter-current extraction-stripping. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.