Predispersed solvent extraction of negatively complexed copper from water using colloidal liquid aphron containing a quaternary ammonium salt

Abstract

Negatively complexed copper ion by complexing agent Re EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacteic acid) was removed by predispered solvent extraction (PDSE) using colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs) made out of Trioctylmetylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) diluted with nonpolar kerosene. PDSE was found to have higher mass transfer rate than conventional solvent extraction under experimental conditions without mechanical mixing. The effect of type of water-soluble surfactants, phase volume ratio (PVR), concentration of anionic Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate (SDBS) on PDSE was investigated. In addition, the effect of anionic SDBS on back extraction in PDSE was also studied. Under experimental conditions with enough mechanical mixing, the amount of copper transferred to Aliquat 336 core from the pregnant phase was compared in both PDSE by using anionic SDBS and conventional solvent extraction. It is concluded that PDSE using Aliquat 336 CLA can be used for treatment of negatively complexed copper without the influence of surfactant. To optimize CLAs-based process, stability of CLAs containing a quaternary ammonium salt Aliquat 336 diluted with kerosene in the continuous phase was investigated by measuring the volume released to surface. To destabilize CLAs, H+, OH- were added. Stability of CLAs was estimated by comparing the half-life obtained. Break-up of destabilization follows pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics at low ionic strength. But, pseudo-first-order model cannot be applied to a region of high ionic strength.