Extraction of titanium (IV) from acidic media by tri-n-butyl phosphate in kerosene

The extraction of titanium (IV) from sulfate, and nitrate solutions has been studied using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in kerosene. Extraction of titanium was affected by acid concentration over the range of 0.5–4 mol L−1. The titanium distribution coefficient reached a minimum between 1 and 2 mol L−1 acid for both sulfate and nitrate solutions. Third phase formation was observed in the extraction of titanium from acidic media at all condition tested. At the next stage, the stripping of titanium was studied using H2SO4, H2SO4 + H2O2 and Na2CO3. The kinetics of the stripping were very slow for H2SO4. The use of complex forming stripping agents (H2SO4 + H2O2) and Na2CO3 significantly improved the kinetics of stripping. About 98% recovery was achieved by extracting titanium from an aqueous nitrate solution using TBP and stripping with sodium carbonate.