Extraction of copper from sulphate solutions by MOC 45: Application to Cu separation from leachates of a copper flue dust

The application of the new extractant MOC 45 (oxime derivative) as an extraction agent of copper (II) from sulphate media is studied. The extraction system is studied as a function of temperature, diluent of the organic phase, metal concentration, along with the copper stripping stage by sulfuric acid solutions. The data have been analyzed numerically to determine the stoichiometry of extracted species and their equilibrium constants. It was found that copper was extracted into the organic phase by the formation of the species CuR2 (log K-ext = 0.62) and Cu(HR2)(2) (log K-ext = 4.00). The performance of the system was studied using batch and continuous experiments. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.