Abstract
Solvent extraction of nickel from an ammoniacal solution was studied 'to recover nickel from sulfuric acid exudate of manganese nodules. Extraction of nickel, cobalt, or zinc from its respective ammoniacal solution, and that of nickel from mixed ammoniacal solution (Ni 6, Co 0.15, Zn 0.2g11) were performed under following conditions, pH: 7-10, extractant: 15 vol% LIX 64 N in kerosene, phase ratio (0/A): 1, temperature: 30°C, contact time: 2-60 min, and the concentration of aqueous solution of Na2SO3: 0-0.5 mol//. In the extraction of metal from its solution, the maximum extracted amount of nickel or cobalt was 80% at pH 9, and that of zinc was 40% at pH 8. In the presence of Na2S03, extracted amount of nickel slightly increased, but that of cobalt decreased, and the maximum extracted amount of cobalt was 60% at pH 9.5. Extracted amount of zinc slightly increased at higher pH than 9. In the extraction of nickel from the mixed solution, cobalt was coextracted almost completely at pH 7.40 and in the organic solution the minimum value of (Co/Ni), g. ratio was O.03. Coextracted amount of zinc decreased with increasing pH from 7 to 8.5, and zinc was hardly coextracted at higher pH than 8.5. In the presence of Na2SO3, coextracted amount of cobalt or zinc was depressed; coextracted amount of cobalt or zinc was less than 10%, and (Co/Ni). i. g. ratio was below 0.003. Thus, nickel could be extracted selectively from the mixed solution.
