Some Problems in the Computer-Aided Synthesis of Metal Separation Processes by Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Abstract

A computer program has been proposed to synthesize the structure of liquid-liquid extraction processes for metal separation in our previous work. When this program is applied to extraction processes for the separation and recovery of metal values from the leachates of industrial wastes, manganese dry cell batteries and coal fly ash, several practical problems are encountered. The problems are interaction of coexistent metals on the distribution ratios, the occurrence of third-phase formation and the considerable time requirement for phase separation. They are studied experimentally and recoveries of the metal values are successfully achieved.