Successive LEM Separation of Copper and Uranium From Abu Zeneima Mineralized Dolostone Using LIX-973N and Aliquat-336

• Published in: Journal of dispersion science and technology Vol. 32; no. 7; pp. 1046 - 1053
• Main Authors: El-Sayed, Maysa S., Rezk, Afaf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis 01.07.2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aliquat; Aliquat-336; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Copper; Dispersions; Emulsions. Microemulsions. Foams; Encapsulating; Encapsulation; Exact sciences and technology; Extraction; General and physical chemistry; liquid emulsion membrane; Liquid membranes; LIX-973N; Membranes; Mineralization; Optimization; Separation; Sodium carbonate; Sulfuric acid; Uranium; Separation; Aliquat-336; Transition metal; Iron; Liquid membrane; Optimization; Sulfuric acid; Emulsion; Uranium; LIX-973N; Sodium carbonate; Procedure; Rocks; liquid emulsion membrane; Extraction; Copper; Solution
• ISSN: 0193-2691; 1532-2351
• DOI: 10.1080/01932690903543386

We processed a technological sample of a mineralized dolostone rock facies of SW Sinai, assaying 5000 ppm copper and 750 ppm uranium for the purpose of recovering of its metal values. The prepared sulfuric acid leach liquor was successfully subjected to two successive emulsion liquid membrane procedures using LIX-973N encapsulating sulfuric acid followed by Aliquat-336 encapsulating sodium carbonate solution for copper and uranium extraction, respectively. A prior iron separation step from the leach liquor was found necessary in order to avoid or minimize its concentration. The relevant extraction factors in both circuits have been studied for proper optimization.