REMOVAL OF IMPURITIES FROM COBALT ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION

摘要

In this study, a solvent extraction method has been examined to purify cobalt electrolyte solutions to remove impurities, especially manganese. The real plant solution from Vale Inco's Hydromet Demonstration Plant was used in this experiment. In this method, manganese was selectively removed using an extractant, D2EHPA, after converting its functional group with Na~+ and Co~2+ ions. The experiment also studied removal of cadmium from the cobalt electrolyte solution. The Co-D2EHPA was found to be a suitable extractant that removed 80% manganese and 60% cadmium. A kinetic study was also carried out showing that equilibrium was attained after 5 minutes.