Solvent Extraction of Copper from Synthetic Solution of PCB Leach Liquor using LIX984N

Abstract

Solvent extraction of copper from a synthetic solution of leach liquor of PCBs was carried out using organic containing LIX984N with isodecanol as modifier and kero-sene as diluent. It was seen that as the equilibrium pH of the system increases, so does the copper extraction. The pH range of 2 to 3.25 is believed to be ideal for attai- ning maximum copper extraction. During the copper extrac-tion, complex of the form [R2Cu]org is formed in the organic. With increase in contact time from 15 sec. to 6 min. the percentage extraction of the copper also increa-sed. It can be concluded that contact time of around 6 minutes is sufficient to achieve the equilibrium state. The extraction of copper was found to increase rapidly in the beginning with lower O/A ratio, while the extraction increases slowly with higher ratio to above 99% Cu extrac-tion. To find out the percentage extraction of copper, the raffinates are analyzed with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The stripped solutions are also analyzed to check material balance. The acceptable mate-rial balance is obtained during all cases of investigation.