Liquid_liquid extraction separation of iron(III) from titania wastes using TBP_MIBK mixed solvent system

The extraction of iron(III) from hydrochloric acid solutions has been investigated using a mixed solvent system consisting of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The results demonstrate that iron(III) is extracted as HFeCl4 with 2 mol of the solvent. Extraction and stripping isotherms were obtained using the solvent mixture consisting of 70 vol.% TBP and 30 vol.% MIBK with a typical solution containing 1 M of iron(III) and 2 M of hydrochloric acid. The potential of the mixed solvent system for the recovery of high purity iron(III) chloride from waste chloride liquors of titanium minerals processing industry has been assessed.