Phase Separation Test For Liquid Ion Exchange Systems

Liquid ion exchange is becoming more and more important in hydro-metallurgical processing and recovery of metals. The key to success for this process are reagents which have suitable operating characteristics. One of these important characteristics is a relatively fast phase separation rate in the extraction and stripping circuits, as this greatly affects the size of plant required. A test for measuring phase separation rate is needed to help evaluate liquid ion exchange reagents. Such "a test also would be useful for evaluating carrier solvents that are used for diluting the re-agents. In fact, one standard test method would be very desirable as it would provide a common basis for comparing reagents and sol-vents. The phase separation test described in this paper has been used successfully for several years with the copper reagent, LIX®64N. The test is set up for feed liquors containing low copper concentrations. For other types of systems, modifications in procedure probably would be necessary. However, this test and the associated apparatus could be the basis for a standard phase separation test.