Solvent extraction mixture for the separation of groups of base metals
OwnerJozef Marie Schaekers, Jan Gysbert Hermanus DuPreezinventors
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Abstract
An organic solvent extraction mixture which includes a first extractant which is a substituted imidazole or benzimidazole, a non-selective strongly acidic cation second extractant, such as a sulphonic acid (R—SO3H), to facilitate phase transfer of base metal ions from an aqueous weakly acidic sulphate solution into the organic phase, a modifier to improve the characteristics of the organic, phase with respect to metal complex solubility to avoid third phase formation, completeness and ease of stripping, viscosity and phase disengagement, and a diluent.
Claims10
An organic solvent extraction mixture for the separation and purification of base metals from weakly acidic sulphate solutions which includes:
- a. a first extractant, which is a substituted imidazole (Diagram 1) or benzimidazole (Diagram 2)
- and wherein the substituents are:
- —R1=an organic group which has between 2 and 20 carbon atoms;
- —R3=a hydrogen atom or a short chain organic group with 1 or 2 carbon atoms;
- —R4=a hydrogen atom or a short chain organic group with 1 or 2 carbon atoms;
- —R2is a -methylene-1-pyrazole group, an imidazole based group, or a methylene-amino group as shown in Diagram 3
- and wherein
- —R5=a hydrogen or a methyl group;
- —R6=a hydrogen or an aliphatic group containing between one and 10 carbon atoms;
- or
- —R6=a methylene-amino group with one of the substituents being a hydrogen or a methyl group and the other a hydrogen or an aliphatic group containing between one and 10 carbon atoms;
- or
- —R6=a -2-pyridine group, or
- —R6=a -methylene-1-pyrazole group, or
- —R6=a 2-methyl imidazole based group;
- b. a second extractant which includes a non-selective strongly acidic sulphonic acid;
- c. a modifier which is characterized by the presence of a sterically available oxygen or nitrogen atom with lone pairs of electrons;
- and
- d. a diluent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.