Study on Selective Extraction of Copper from Bio-leaching Solution Containing Copper and Iron

Copper is selectively extracted from bio-leaching solution containing copper and iron using Lix984 as the extracting agent.The effects of the pH,O/A,initial concentration of copper,extracting temperature,stirring rate,sirring time and extracting stage on the extraction yield,distribution ratio and separation coefficient are studied.The results indicate that the extraction ratio of copper can reach above 99.8%,distribution ratio of copper is more than 600 while distribution ratio of iron is less than 1 and their separation coefficient can reach up to more than 1 900 without copper adding into bio-leaching solution while pH2.22,O/A 1∶1,stirring rate 200 r/min,stirring time 4 min and extracting stage 3.It is also found that it is helpful to selectively extract copper on the conditions of lower initial copper concentration and higher extracction temperature.In conclusion,copper and iron can be well separated from bio-leaching solution.