Flowsheet Simulation of Cobalt-Nickel Separation Using Ionic Liquid Cyphos 101

摘要

Ionic liquids have been widely investigated in applications for chemical processes, including for the extraction of metals from aqueous mixtures. However, little research has focused on design, operation and optimisation of such processes. This work develops a flowsheet simulation model for extractive separation of cobalt and nickel using the ionic liquid trihexyltetradecyl phosphonium chloride (P_(66614)CI, Cyphos IL 101 ). The flowsheet model uses stirred tanks to simulate the mixer-settler for the extraction process. Distribution coefficients model is developed from literature experimental data. The mass transfer rate between the two phases is also calculated in a mass transfer model. Simulation results for single stage and multi-stage process show they are generally in good agreement with the experimental results from literatures.