Patent ID: 8298510
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for improving phase separation in a process for recovering a metal from an aqueous solution containing the metal, with an organic solution containing at least one metal-extraction reagent, wherein at least a portion of the metal has been extracted into the organic solution in a solvent extraction stage, the method comprising the step of: (a) adding a compatible metal salt selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and mixtures thereof, to the organic solution entering one or more mixers in a solvent extraction stage and/or a stripping stage following the solvent extraction stage, or (b) adding a compatible metal salt selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and mixtures thereof, to an emulsion mixture of the aqueous solution and the organic solution in one or more mixers in a solvent extraction stage and/or a stripping stage following the solvent extraction stage, or (c) adding a compatible metal salt selected from the group consisting of copper sulfate, iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and mixtures thereof, to a mixture of the aqueous solution and the organic solution in a settler tank following a mixer(s), wherein said compatible metal salt is in the form of a particulate solid or an aqueous salt pulp, and wherein the addition of said salt causes the aqueous solution and the organic solution to separate.