Methods and systems for controlling impurity metal concentration during metallurgic processes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018340264-A1
Application number	US-201816048788-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 30, 2018
Priority date	Mar 7, 2014
Publication date	Nov 29, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Reagent compositions, methods and systems for reducing concentrations of impurity metals during metallurgic processes. Certain methods and systems in particular pertain to control of iron concentration in copper electrowinning electrolyte solutions.

First claim

1 - 11 . (canceled)

12 . A system for continuous control of an impurity metal concentration during a metal recovery process, the system comprising an impurity metal extraction stage comprising:
a. a mixer comprising
i. a first input connected to a source of an aqueous impurity-rich electrolyte solution;
ii. a second input connected to a source of an organic impurity-lean solution comprising an extraction agent comprising monoalkyl phosphate ester having a structure represented by

wherein R 1 comprises a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl or aryl group, and R 2 and R 3 each comprise H; and
b. a separator in fluid communication with the mixer, the separator comprising
i. a first output for an aqueous impurity-lean electrolyte solution to exit the separator;
ii. a second output for an organic impurity-loaded solution to exit the separator.

13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising:
a. a second mixer comprising
i. a first input connected to the output for the organic impurity-loaded solution in the first separator;
ii. a second input connected to a sulfuric acid source; and
b. a second separator in fluid communication with the second mixer, the second separator comprising
i. a first output for an organic impurity-stripped solution to exit the separator;
ii. a second output for an impurity-rich raffinate solution to exit the separator.

14 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising an electrowinning station comprising
a. a first input connected to the second output of the first separator; b. a first output connected to the first input of the first mixer.

15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the aqueous impurity-rich electrolyte solution also comprises copper.

16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the organic impurity-lean solution further comprises a modifier.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the modifier comprises a C 8 -C 16 linear, branched or cyclic or aryl alcohol.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the first input of the first mixer and the first output of the electrowinning station comprise a continuous feed stream.

19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the input of the electrowinning station and the second output of the first separator continuous comprise a feed stream.

20 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the extraction agent further comprises a dialkyl phosphate ester.

Assignees

• Basf Se

Inventors

• Bender Jack
• Emmerich Nathan C

Classifications

• C22B3/04

  by leaching (C22B3/18 takes precedence) · CPC title

• C22B15/0065

  Leaching or slurrying (with organic compounds C22B3/16) · CPC title

• C25C1/12 Primary

  of copper · CPC title

• C25C7/06

  Operating or servicing · CPC title

• C22B3/02

  Apparatus therefor · CPC title