Mechanism of crud formation in copper solvent extraction

Abstract

The authors investigated the mechanism of crud formation in copper solvent extraction. It is indicated that pH value of solution and the phase ratio (O/A) are the main factors affecting crud formation in solvent extraction. The amount of crud extraction increases with aqueous pH value increase, and reduces with the increase of the phase ratio. Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺, fine air bubble and suspended particulates in leaching solution contribute to crud formation. One case is that a series of reactions of hydrolization and polymerization occurs for Fe³⁺, while pH>2.5, polyhydric complex or Fe-SO₄ complex are formed. Then the complex-ions of FeOH²⁺, Fe₂(OH)₂⁴⁺ cause poly-reaction, which is likely to lead emulsion. The study on Zeta potential indicates the repulsion between electriferous droplets in solvent extraction prevents phase coalescence, which is one of the major reasons for emulsion.

Keywords

copper / extraction / crud / mechanism / Zeta potential