Solvent extraction studies of Cu(II) with benzoyl acetone

In this study, benzoyl acetone (BA) in toluene has been used as organic solution to recover Cu(II) from low concentration aqueous leach solution. The effectiveness of BA as an extractant has been established by investigating (i) equilibrium distribution; (ii) extraction kinetics; (iii) stripping kinetics; and (iv) its extractive efficiency, if used repeatedly. The effect of Cu(II) and BA concentrations in respective solutions, pH of leach liquor and stripping reagent concentration on the system performances have been studied and the suitable extraction conditions were arrived at Equations describing distribution, extraction rate and stripping rate have been proposed and compared with the experimental results.