Sustainable Mining and Metallurgy

Separation of valuable metal ions from complex metal-ion solutions has always been the focus and difficulty in the field of hydrometallurgy, and solvent extraction is a mature method for complex ion separation. In this paper, the MHP acid solution in laterite nickel ore sulfuric acid process was taken as the research object. P20⁴⁺sulfonated kerosene was used as the extractant to separate Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ from the MHP acid solution. The effects of P204 content, saponification rate, sulfuric acid concentration and extraction ratio (O/A) on the extraction, washing and stripping of impurities were investigated. The results showed that when the content of P204 in organic phase was 30%, the saponification rate was 65%, and the ratio of O/A was 2∶1, the single-stage extraction rate of Mn²⁺and Cu²⁺was more than 90%, and the extraction rate of Zn²⁺ was more than 70%. When the concentration of washing sulfuric acid is 0.4mol/L and O/A is 5∶1, the single-stage elution rate of Co²⁺and Mg²⁺reaches 40%; When the concentration of stripping sulfuric acid is 2.5mol/L and the O/A is 7∶1, the single-stage stripping rate of Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺and Zn²⁺reaches more than 80%. Through the process optimization of extraction, washing and stripping, the impurities such as Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺and Mg²⁺in the MHP acid solution can be effectively removed. This work, provide some useful information for the similar impurity removal process.