Metal ion extraction

Metal ion extraction through complexation with an organic soluble ligand is a process widely used in the hydrometallurgy industry for the separation, purification and recovery of many metals. It is now being applied to environmental problems to reduce emissions of heavy metals such as chromium from tanning and chrome plating processing plants. Significant developments in this area include the use of micelle systems to simulate the oil/water interface, NMR studies to ascertain the site of ligand solubilisation, ATR techniques to study kinetics at the liquid/liquid interface, and the use of membrane reactors to limit the loss of organic solvent in the rafinate and so allow the application of this technology to lower concentration feeds.