Solvent Extraction, Mineral Processing and Alumina Processing

Use of ACORGA® NR Reagents in the Presence of Nitrate Ions in SX: The State of the Art

60
Acorga NR 20
50 Unprotected Reagent
LIX 84IC
40
Nitration (%)

30

20
FIGURE 3:
10 Results of accelerated
nitration tests based on
0 residual copper and nitroxime
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sample

Pilot Plant Evaluation

The ACORGA NR20 extractant was then evaluated in a 100 that has favourable kinetics for mass transfer as compared
cm3/min pilot plant utilizing two PLS solutions (Heap and to those for extractants based on ketoxime chemistry. As
ROM). The initial conditions for the pilot study are presented a result, a better mixing efficiency near the equilibrium
in Table 5. The configuration of the pilot plant corresponded point is achieved. In addition, the ACORGA® extractant
to that of an industrial plant, and the extractant was added tolerates a wider pH range, maintaining good chemical and
at 26.30 % for LIX® 84I and 24.94% for ACORGA NR 20. The metallurgical performance from pH 1.0 to 2.5.
results of the tests are shown in Table 6.
Table 6: Extraction Efficiency, Pilot Plant Results
Table 5: Pilot Plant Test Initial Conditions
HEAP Extraction ROM Extraction
HEAP ROM Spent Efficiency Efficiency
Extractant (%) (%)
Cu PLS g/L 1.97 1.63 42
Ketoxime 89.44 67.24
pH / H2SO4 - / g/L 2.08 1.81 175
ACORGA NR 20 95.28 76.05
O/A E - 0.95 0.95

O/A S - 1.24 1.24 In addition, the results for the selectivity of the ACORGA
NR20 extractant conclusively confirm that the new reagent
improves the plant selectivity by approximately 50%. The
The extraction efficiency results clearly show a better
organic Fe loading for both the Heap and the ROM PLS
metallurgical performance for the ACORGA NR20
streams are shown in Figure 4.
extractant, resulting in a 5.8% increase in copper recovery
for the Heap and 8.8% increase for the ROM. Both
extraction efficiencies are enhanced using the ACORGA
NR20 extractant, which is based on a modified aldoxime

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IN PROCESS SEPARATION