Extraction of copper from acidic leach solution with Acorga M5640 using a pulsed sieve plate column

The extraction of copper from acidic leach solution with the aldoxime Acorga M5640 using a pulsed sieve plate column has been investigated. The pregnant leach solution was produced through pressure leaching of an industrial sphalerite concentrate that contained zinc, iron, copper, indium and other minor elements. Bench scale studies on solvent extraction have been carried out for selecting the composition of the organic phase and the pH of the leach solution to perform the separation of copper. An organic phase with 10% (v/v) Acorga M5640 and 2.5% (v/v) isotridecanol was chosen to test the hydrodynamic and mass transfer performance of the extraction column. The results of the pilot plant experiments demonstrated the feasibility of operating the extraction of copper from the aqueous solution using a pulsed sieve plate column.