Process for recovering germanium
AssigneeN.V. Union Miniere S.A.
InventorsJean H. Vliegen, Guy G. Haesebroek, Achille J. De Schepper
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Abstract
A germanium bearing sulphate solution containing indium and/or gallium is brought at pH 1-2.5 into contact with an organic phase, containing a substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline and an acid organophosphorus compound. So, in addition to germanium, indium and gallium are also extracted from the sulphate solution.
Claims26
A process for separating germanium from a germanium-bearing aqueous sulphate solution containing indium and/or gallium, which comprises contacting said solution with an organic phase containing a substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline and an organophosphorous compound having at least one phosphorus-bearing acid function having the formula ##STR8## wherein A represents an oxygen or a sulfur atom, the contacting being carried out at a pH of 0.5-2.5 when said solution contains indium or at a pH of 0.5-4 when said solution is indium-free, thereby transferring indium and/or gallium into the organic phase together with germanium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.