WO2001038590A2 - Solvent extraction process for the recovery of valuable metals from acidic leachates - Google Patents
Solvent extraction process for the recovery of valuable metals from acidic leachates Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001038590A2 WO2001038590A2 PCT/EP2000/011184 EP0011184W WO0138590A2 WO 2001038590 A2 WO2001038590 A2 WO 2001038590A2 EP 0011184 W EP0011184 W EP 0011184W WO 0138590 A2 WO0138590 A2 WO 0138590A2
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- leachate solution
- aqueous
- liquid
- process according
- solution
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 56
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 8
- 238000000638 solvent extraction Methods 0.000 title description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 229910021645 metal ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000008346 aqueous phase Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000002425 crystallisation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000008025 crystallization Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 claims description 65
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron Substances [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000008139 complexing agent Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- -1 iron ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 14
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 150000007529 inorganic bases Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000007530 organic bases Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005188 flotation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 241000205101 Sulfolobus Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- JPVYNHNXODAKFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cu2+ Chemical compound [Cu+2] JPVYNHNXODAKFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910001431 copper ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000272 alkali metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 229910001860 alkaline earth metal hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 23
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 12
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 11
- 239000012074 organic phase Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000010979 pH adjustment Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 description 7
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Palladium Chemical compound [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000005363 electrowinning Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 3
- MUBZPKHOEPUJKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Oxalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C(O)=O MUBZPKHOEPUJKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 3
- AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium dihydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[OH-].[Ca+2] AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 3
- 239000000920 calcium hydroxide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000011116 calcium hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 229910001861 calcium hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N citric acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CC(O)(C(O)=O)CC(O)=O KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium oxide Chemical compound [Ca]=O ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical compound OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- YRKCREAYFQTBPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetylacetone Chemical compound CC(=O)CC(C)=O YRKCREAYFQTBPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 2
- SMQUZDBALVYZAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N salicylaldehyde Chemical compound OC1=CC=CC=C1C=O SMQUZDBALVYZAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 2
- STCOOQWBFONSKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N tributyl phosphate Chemical compound CCCCOP(=O)(OCCCC)OCCCC STCOOQWBFONSKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000605222 Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Species 0.000 description 1
- ATRRKUHOCOJYRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium bicarbonate Chemical compound [NH4+].OC([O-])=O ATRRKUHOCOJYRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ROFVEXUMMXZLPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Bipyridyl Chemical group N1=CC=CC=C1C1=CC=CC=N1 ROFVEXUMMXZLPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitric acid Chemical compound O[N+]([O-])=O GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 1
- PTFCDOFLOPIGGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc dication Chemical compound [Zn+2] PTFCDOFLOPIGGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052784 alkaline earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001342 alkaline earth metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BWZOPYPOZJBVLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K aluminium glycinate Chemical compound O[Al+]O.NCC([O-])=O BWZOPYPOZJBVLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 229910000147 aluminium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001099 ammonium carbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012501 ammonium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- BFNBIHQBYMNNAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium sulfate Chemical compound N.N.OS(O)(=O)=O BFNBIHQBYMNNAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052921 ammonium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001166 ammonium sulphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011130 ammonium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011260 aqueous acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004945 aromatic hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052948 bornite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052793 cadmium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BDOSMKKIYDKNTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium atom Chemical compound [Cd] BDOSMKKIYDKNTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000292 calcium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000012255 calcium oxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001735 carboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- DVRDHUBQLOKMHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N chalcopyrite Chemical compound [S-2].[S-2].[Fe+2].[Cu+2] DVRDHUBQLOKMHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052951 chalcopyrite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002738 chelating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001311 chemical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000008280 chlorinated hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- BUGICWZUDIWQRQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper iron sulfane Chemical compound S.[Fe].[Cu] BUGICWZUDIWQRQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007865 diluting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003113 dilution method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002170 ethers Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000004820 halides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000009854 hydrometallurgy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004679 hydroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012432 intermediate storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002505 iron Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000014413 iron hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- NCNCGGDMXMBVIA-UHFFFAOYSA-L iron(ii) hydroxide Chemical class [OH-].[OH-].[Fe+2] NCNCGGDMXMBVIA-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000003350 kerosene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002576 ketones Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000007522 mineralic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000006386 neutralization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002823 nitrates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910017604 nitric acid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000006408 oxalic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002989 phenols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000003018 phosphorus compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003856 quaternary ammonium compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000003346 selenoethers Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000004760 silicates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004763 sulfides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910021653 sulphate ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004772 tellurides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000003512 tertiary amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000004448 titration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010626 work up procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/18—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes with the aid of microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. bacteria or algae
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/20—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
- C22B3/26—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by liquid-liquid extraction using organic compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B15/00—Obtaining copper
- C22B15/0063—Hydrometallurgy
- C22B15/0065—Leaching or slurrying
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/20—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
- C22B3/26—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by liquid-liquid extraction using organic compounds
- C22B3/30—Oximes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
Definitions
- the present application relates to a multistage process for the recovery of valuable metals from aqueous, acidic leachate solutions.
- a refining process dependent on the type of metal for example the electrolytic refining of copper.
- the details of the leaching process are dependent on the type of valuable metal, the way in which it is bound in the ore and the type of materials accompanying the ore (gangue type) .
- the ore is frequently leached using aqueous acids, for example sulphuric, hydrochloric or nitric acid, or alkalis such as ammonia/ammonium carbonate or ammonium sulphate.
- aqueous acids for example sulphuric, hydrochloric or nitric acid, or alkalis such as ammonia/ammonium carbonate or ammonium sulphate.
- US 4,571,387 describes a process for leaching sulphidic copper ores, for example chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) , in which the copper ores are brought into contact with sulphide-oxidizing strains of the bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in acidic aqueous solution and Cu 2+ ions as well as sulphur and sulphate or sulphuric acid are formed by oxidation of the ore.
- the Cu 2+ ions can then be processed further by liquid/liquid extraction.
- a similar process is described in US 4,729,788 which discloses the use of thermophilic bacteria of the Sulfolobus type for leaching sulphidic gold or silver ores.
- microbiological leaching has advantages over the classical methods (in particular, it requires less complicated and expensive plants and the amounts of inorganic acids or alkalis required for leaching can be reduced)
- microbiological leaching does cause problems in the subsequent processing stage of solvent extraction (SX) .
- SX solvent extraction
- the resulting leachate solutions contain not only the desired high proportions of valuable metals but also, as an intrinsic aspect of the leaching process, relatively large amounts of accompanying elements such as iron.
- the leachate solutions obtained have relatively high proportions of valuable metal ions.
- microbiological leaching of sulphidic Cu ores (or ore concentrates) can give aqueous leachate solutions containing Cu ions in amounts of up to 50 g/1.
- a further problem is posed by the accompanying metals in the leachate solution.
- copper ores also contain iron which is likewise brought into solution by the leaching process. In the extraction process, this iron can lead to selectivity problems which reduce the yield of valuable metal. It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a process in which valuable metal ions can be extracted selectively and in economically viable yields from leachate solutions in which they are present in association with other metal ions.
- the present application accordingly provides a multistage process for the recovery of valuable metals from an acidic, aqueous leachate solution in which valuable metal ions are present in concentrations of from 10 to 40 g/1, which process comprises
- pH of the aqueous leachate solution is set to at least 1.2 and not more than 2.5 before and/or during the liquid/liquid extraction process (I) .
- Valuable metals in the context of the present invention are metals from the group consisting of copper, silver, gold and palladium which can be brought in ionic form into the aqueous phase by leaching of their ores or ore concentrates obtained by flotation. It is immaterial whether the valuable metal is present in the ore in elemental or ionic form.
- the ores typically contain the valuable metals in the form of oxides, sulphides, selenides, tellurides, carbonates, nitrates, silicates or halides.
- leachate solutions containing copper ions as valuable metal .
- the leachate solutions are therefore preferably obtained by leaching sulphidic ores, for example chalcopyrite or bornite.
- further metal ions can be present in the leachate solutions .
- These are preferably iron ions which are present in amounts of from 0.001 to 25 g/1.
- the iron ions are preferably in the form of Fe 3+ ions with lesser amounts of Fe 2+ ions. From 60 to 99 mol% of Fe 3+ and from 40 to 1 mol% of Fe 2+ ions are preferably present.
- particular preference is given to iron-containing leachate solutions containing virtually exclusively Fe 3+ ions .
- the aqueous leachate solutions are obtained by biological leaching of ores containing valuable metals or their flotation concentrates using thermophilic microbes of the Sulfolobus type.
- the ores or concentrates are leached with the aid of the thermophilic bacteria in the temperature range from 40°C to 90°C.
- the aqueous, acidic leachate solution (feed) is introduced into a mixer/settler El and brought into contact with a solution of an organic complexing agent .
- the organic phase is separated off and the pH of the remaining aqueous phase is adjusted by bringing the aqueous phase into contact with a suitable inorganic or organic base which may be present in solid form or as a solution or dispersion.
- the aqueous phase which has thus been set to a pH in the range from 1.2 to 2.5 is again brought into contact with the organic complexing agents in further mixer/settlers E2 and E3 .
- the aqueous phase resulting from the last extraction stage ( "raffinate" , solution depleted in copper) is discharged from the system.
- the organic phase loaded with metal ions is then conveyed to step (II) and stripped in SI and S2 using a strongly acidic aqueous solution (H 2 S0 4 ) .
- a strongly acidic aqueous solution H 2 S0 4
- This is preferably carried out in mixer/settler systems, preferably using two mixer/ settlers connected in series.
- the metal ions go back into the aqueous phase and can now be passed to a further recovery step (III) , preferably electrolysis (electrowinning) .
- the organic complexing agents used in the liquid/liquid extraction (I) in the process of the invention are essentially hydrophobic compounds which undergo specific or nonspecific interactions and/or coordination with the valuable metal ions so as to balance and/or shield the charge of the valuable metal ion so that the polarity is reduced sufficiently for the solubility of the ions in the aqueous phase to be decreased while the solubility of the complex in the organic phase is increased.
- Such complexing agents include particular phosphorus compounds, organic carboxylic acids, phenols, ketoximes, aldoximes and further chelating agents known m this context to those skilled in the art .
- Examples of specific classes of substances are organic phosphoric, phosphonic or phosphimc acids, m particular d ⁇ (2- ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid or trioctylphosphme oxide (TOPO) , tributyl phosphate (TBP) or dibutyl carbmol (DBBP) , also acetylacetone, oxalic acid, citric acid, 2 , 2 ' -bipyridyl , salicylaldehyde or ethylenediammetetraacetic acid.
- TOPO trioctylphosphme oxide
- TBP tributyl phosphate
- DBBP dibutyl carbmol
- aldoximes and/or ketoximes as complexing agents.
- Such compounds are commercially available under the trade name LIX from Henkel Corp .
- step (I) is carried out using organic extractants containing from 1 to 35% by weight, preferably from 2 to 25% by weight and in particular from 2 to 20% by weight, of organic complexing agents.
- the complexing agents are dissolved in suitable organic solvents, for example aliphatic or cycloaliphatic or else aromatic hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones or ethers having high flash points (from at least 70°C to about 110°C) and also mixtures of these compounds.
- the flow rates of the organic (O) and aqueous (A) phases can be or have to be matched as a function of the Cu concentration in the leachate solution ("advanced flow rates" of O/A) .
- a Cu content of from about 12 to 15 g/1 in the leachate solution, it has been found to be advantageous to set an O/A ratio of from 1.6 to 2.0. This ratio can also be increased in principle, but the extraction performance then deteriorates .
- the stripping of the loaded organic phase is preferably carried out using an aqueous sulphuric acid solution.
- the aqueous solutions for stripping typically contain from 100 to 220 g/1 and m particular from 160 to 180 g/1 of H S0 .
- the latter concentration is particularly preferred for subsequent Cu electrowinning, with the stripping solution (B.E.) containing about 30-35 g/1 of Cu.
- the stripping stage (II) the acid-labile formation equilibrium of the valuable metal ion complexes is shifted back toward the starting compounds as a result of the high proton concentration.
- the valuable metal ions are set free and go into the aqueous phase.
- This acidic aqueous phase loaded with valuable metal ions is then subjected in (III) to known work-up procedures such as crystallization or, preferably, electrolysis in order to recover the valuable metal .
- process step (I) namely the liquid/liquid extraction, is carried out is of particular importance, since the pH control according to the invention is carried out before and/or during this process step.
- the pH control step can be carried out prior to introduction of the aqueous leachate solution into the extraction stage (I) .
- This pH control prior to the extraction is preferably achieved by diluting the untreated leachate solution with water.
- other methods of pH control described further below can, in principle, also be employed in this process step.
- the dilution method is particularly advantageous when the leachate solution contains large amounts of iron ions which would precipitate in the form of solid iron hydroxides on addition of bases.
- this method does produce comparatively large volume flows which require the entire plant to be made appropriately large.
- the leachate solution is preferably diluted with two or three times its volume of water.
- the pH control of the aqueous leachate solution is preferably carried out only after the first extraction step.
- the term "aqueous leachate solution" is also used to refer to such a solution which has already been subjected to one or more extraction steps.
- pH control can take the form, for example, of a titration using a suitable base.
- the leachate solutions have pH values of less than 1.2, with typical values being in the range from 0.8 to 1.1.
- the copper contents are from 10 to 40 g/1.
- the iron contents can be in the range from 0.0001 to 25 g/1.
- metal ions such as aluminium, lead, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, sodium, nickel and zinc ions may be present in amounts of from 0.001 to 1.0 g/1.
- inorganic bases are the oxides or hydroxides of alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals, for example sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide (for example as "slaked lime” or “quicklime”).
- sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide for example as "slaked lime” or "quicklime”
- These solutions or slurries typically contain the inorganic base in amounts of from 10 to 30% by weight, preferably from 20 to 25% by weight.
- the neutralization can also be carried out using solid bases.
- Typical amounts of base solution are in the range from 5 to 30 g of base solution/litre of leachate solution.
- organic bases such as tertiary amines can also be used for controlling the pH. These are marketed by the Applicant under the trade name ALAMINE ® . Quaternary ammonium compounds, for example of the ALIQUAT ® type (Henkel) , are also suitable.
- the pH control step has to be carried out in the form of a separate SX stage, i.e. a separate extraction circuit. In such a procedure, the amines in the form of 30 - 40% strength by weight solutions in suitable solvents, e.g. kerosene, are brought into contact with the aqueous leachate solution.
- the pH control of the aqueous leachate solution be carried out during a three-stage liquid/liquid extraction as shown in Figure 2, where the leachate solution is first brought into contact with the organic extractant in two mixer/ settlers, pH control is subsequently carried out and this is followed once more by a mixer/settler system for extraction using the organic extractant .
- the process of the invention can be carried out continuously or batchwise. However, it is generally carried out continuously.
- a leachate solution (feed) having a Cu concentration of 13.9 g/1 and a pH of 3.8 was used.
- the iron content was 8 mg/1.
- a further mixer/settler for adjusting the pH ( "pH adjustment") in which the organic phase loaded with valuable metal was brought into contact with an aqueous 25% strength by weight NaOH solution.
- the extraction was carried out using a 30% v/v solution of LIX 973N ® in Shellsol ® D70 as organic phase in each case.
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002391394A CA2391394A1 (en) | 1999-11-20 | 2000-11-11 | Solvent extraction process for the recovery of valuable metals from acidic leachates |
AU21576/01A AU2157601A (en) | 1999-11-20 | 2000-11-11 | Process for the recovery of valuable metals |
EP00985012A EP1230406A2 (en) | 1999-11-20 | 2000-11-11 | Solvent extraction process for the recovery of valuable metals from acidic leachates |
MXPA02004899A MXPA02004899A (en) | 1999-11-20 | 2000-11-11 | Solvent extraction process for the recovery of valuable metals from acidic leachates. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19955881A DE19955881A1 (en) | 1999-11-20 | 1999-11-20 | Process for the recovery of valuable metals from an acidic aqueous leaching solution comprises liquid/liquid extraction of the solution by contacting the solution once with an organic water insoluble extractant |
DE19955881.7 | 1999-11-20 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001038590A2 true WO2001038590A2 (en) | 2001-05-31 |
WO2001038590A3 WO2001038590A3 (en) | 2001-11-29 |
Family
ID=7929737
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2000/011184 WO2001038590A2 (en) | 1999-11-20 | 2000-11-11 | Solvent extraction process for the recovery of valuable metals from acidic leachates |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1230406A2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2157601A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2391394A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE19955881A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA02004899A (en) |
PL (1) | PL354899A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001038590A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112981121A (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2021-06-18 | 江西思远再生资源有限公司 | Method for treating cadmium-containing waste residue and preparing high-purity metal cadmium by precipitation method |
Families Citing this family (10)
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---|---|---|---|---|
JP5596539B2 (en) | 2007-05-21 | 2014-09-24 | オーバイト アルミナ インコーポレイテッド | Method for extracting aluminum and iron from aluminum ore |
EP2686458A4 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2015-04-15 | Orbite Aluminae Inc | Processes for recovering rare earth elements from aluminum-bearing materials |
EP2705169A4 (en) | 2011-05-04 | 2015-04-15 | Orbite Aluminae Inc | Processes for recovering rare earth elements from various ores |
WO2012162817A1 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2012-12-06 | Orbite Aluminae Inc. | Methods for preparing hematite |
RU2014114938A (en) | 2011-09-16 | 2015-10-27 | Орбит Элюминэ Инк. | METHODS FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM OXIDE AND VARIOUS OTHER PRODUCTS |
CN104302791B (en) | 2012-01-10 | 2017-03-15 | 奥佰特氧化铝有限公司 | Method for processing red mud |
RU2633579C9 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2017-12-25 | Орбит Алюминэ Инк. | Methods of treating fly ash |
WO2014008586A1 (en) | 2012-07-12 | 2014-01-16 | Orbite Aluminae Inc. | Processes for preparing titanium oxide and various other products |
WO2014047728A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 | 2014-04-03 | Orbite Aluminae Inc. | Processes for preparing alumina and magnesium chloride by hc1 leaching of various materials |
CN105189357A (en) | 2012-11-14 | 2015-12-23 | 奥佰特氧化铝有限公司 | Methods for purifying aluminium ions |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4018865A (en) * | 1976-03-29 | 1977-04-19 | King Industries, Inc. | Solvent-extraction process for recovery and separation of metal values |
US5919674A (en) * | 1997-03-27 | 1999-07-06 | Billiton Sa Limited | Copper recovery |
WO2001018265A1 (en) * | 1999-09-07 | 2001-03-15 | B.R.G.M. - Bureau De Recherches Geologiques Et Minieres | Method and device for continuous treatment of copper sulphide containing ore by biological leaching |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5565332A (en) * | 1978-11-13 | 1980-05-16 | Toyo Eng Corp | Recovering method for copper from ore |
AU654322B2 (en) * | 1991-02-27 | 1994-11-03 | Mount Isa Mines Limited | Biological leaching of transition ores |
-
1999
- 1999-11-20 DE DE19955881A patent/DE19955881A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-11-11 EP EP00985012A patent/EP1230406A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-11-11 WO PCT/EP2000/011184 patent/WO2001038590A2/en active Search and Examination
- 2000-11-11 CA CA002391394A patent/CA2391394A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-11-11 PL PL00354899A patent/PL354899A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-11-11 MX MXPA02004899A patent/MXPA02004899A/en unknown
- 2000-11-11 AU AU21576/01A patent/AU2157601A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4018865A (en) * | 1976-03-29 | 1977-04-19 | King Industries, Inc. | Solvent-extraction process for recovery and separation of metal values |
US5919674A (en) * | 1997-03-27 | 1999-07-06 | Billiton Sa Limited | Copper recovery |
WO2001018265A1 (en) * | 1999-09-07 | 2001-03-15 | B.R.G.M. - Bureau De Recherches Geologiques Et Minieres | Method and device for continuous treatment of copper sulphide containing ore by biological leaching |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 198026 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class E19, AN 1980-45813C XP002167979 & JP 55 065332 A (TOYO ENG CORP), 16 May 1980 (1980-05-16) * |
DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 199244 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class D16, AN 1992-357623 XP002167980 & AU 11201 92 A (MOUNT ISA MINES LTD), 3 September 1992 (1992-09-03) * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112981121A (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2021-06-18 | 江西思远再生资源有限公司 | Method for treating cadmium-containing waste residue and preparing high-purity metal cadmium by precipitation method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1230406A2 (en) | 2002-08-14 |
MXPA02004899A (en) | 2003-10-14 |
PL354899A1 (en) | 2004-03-22 |
WO2001038590A3 (en) | 2001-11-29 |
DE19955881A1 (en) | 2001-05-23 |
CA2391394A1 (en) | 2001-05-31 |
AU2157601A (en) | 2001-06-04 |
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