Chemistry of inorganic compounds – Treating mixture to obtain metal containing compound – Group va metal or arsenic
Patent
1990-05-04
1992-03-03
Morris, Theodore
Chemistry of inorganic compounds
Treating mixture to obtain metal containing compound
Group va metal or arsenic
75722, 75710, C01G 3000
Patent
active
050930907
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a process for separating antimony from acidic solutions which contain antimony and possibly other metals.
More particularly, this invention relates to a process for the separation of antimony from sulphuric solutions.
Still more particularly, this invention relates to a process for separating pentavalent antimony from acidic solutions, more particularly, sulphuric solutions, which contain metal ions other than antimony ions.
A number of metallurgincal processes are known, which are capable of controlling the concentrations of antimony in the solutions in which it is undesirably present, such as in the solutions discharged from the copper electrorefining cells.
In the majority of the instances, these are, regrettably, processes which provide for the use of toxic substances, such as tributylphosphate (TBP).
It is interesting, moreover, to have a simple procedure available for striping antimony from strongly acidic solutions.
It has been surprisingly ascertained that it is possible to simply, economically and efficiently separate antimony from acidic solutions which contain it, possibly together with other metallic ions, and without using any toxic substances, by merely extracting antimony with an organic, water-immiscible, polyol-containing diluent.
The process according to the present invention comprises the steps of contacting, either counter-currently or co-currently, the antimony-ion-containing acidic solution with a water-immiscible organic diluent, which essentially consists of hydrocarbons, alcohols and their mixtures and containing at least one polyol dissolved therein, preferably and particularly a diol, said polyol extracting the antimony, the latter being then re-extracted by a counter-solvent. Among the polyols which can be used in the process of this invention, diols can be mentioned, which have a number of carbon atoms equal to, or higher than 7, the triols having a number of carbon atoms equal to, or higher than, 10.
Particular exemplary diols are octane-1,2-diol, decane-1,2-diol, dodecane-1,2-diol, tetradecane-1,2-diol (TDD), and hexadecane-1,2-diol.
Further examples are phenylethane-1,2-diol, 2-phenyl-propane-1,2-diol, 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, 2-methylpropylpropane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethylhexane-3,5-diol, octane-1,8-diol, dodecane-1,12-diol, and 4-octylcyclohexane-1,2-diol.
The concentration of the polyols in the diluent is comprised between 1% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 15%.
As diluents, there can be used, alone or in admixture, aliphatic, aromatic and naphthenic hydrocarbon compounds, monohydric alcohols and ethereal compounds.
It is essential that the diluents are good solvents for the polyols and virtually insoluble in the aqueous phase.
The ratio of the organic phase (diluent+solute) to the aqueous phase may be varied between 0.1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 5.
Re-extraction of antimony from the organic phase can be carried out conveniently by using a counter-solvent consisting of alkaline, neutral, acidic solutions, or acidic saline solutions.
A neutral, or an alkaline aqueous solution is preferably employed.
The ensuing Examples are merely illustrative of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
In a 200-ml separatory funnel there are mixed with vigorous stirring 20 ml of an aqueous solution, containing 168 g/l of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and 0,41 g/l of Sb, with 100 ml of a 10% weight/volume solution of tetradecane-1,2-diol (TDD) in undecanol (LIAL 111).
After 10 min, the mixture is allowed to settle and antimony is analyzed in the aqueous phase, and is found to be 0.36 g/l (14% extraction).
EXAMPLE 2
The procedure is that of Example 1, with the exception of the quantity of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, which is raised to 177 g/l.
Upon settling, Sb in the aqueous phase is 0,32 g/l (21% extraction).
EXAMPLE 3
The procedure is as in Example 1, with the exception of the quantity of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, which is raised to 187 g/l.
Upon settling, Sb in the aqueous phase is 0.30 g/l (25% extraction).
EXAMPLE 4
The procedure is that of Example 1, with the exception of the quantity o
REFERENCES:
patent: 4102976 (1978-07-01), Hiemeleers et al.
Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, vol. 36, (1974).
Chemical Abstracts, vol. 107, No. 22 (Nov. 30, 1987).
Guerriero Renato
Vittadini Italo
Morris Theodore
Nuova Samim S.p.A.
Squillante Edward
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