COBALT-NICKEL SEPARATION BY SOLVENT EXTRACTION IN CUBA

摘要

In recent years, many plants have included solvent extraction in their processes to replace the cobaltic hydroxide or cobalt sulfide precipitation methods, due to the high selectivities and separation factors attainable. In 1998 the Laterite Research Center introduced the results obtained during three years of research, and a small-scale plant was constructed at Moa, Cuba, in order to treat cobalt ― nickel mixed sulfide by atmospheric and pressure leaching, purification, removal of cobalt by solvent extraction, and precipitation of cobalt and nickel carbonates. The small-scale refinery treats a mixed sulfide, and produces Co 30 and Ni 60 ton/year contained in carbonates.