Method for purifying electrolyte in monovalent copper electrowinning process

摘要

PPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for purifying a solution containing univalent copper for use in a process for recovering metal copper from the solution containing the univalent copper by an electrolytic operation. PSOLUTION: The method for treating an aqueous solution containing copper (I) ions, noble-metal ions and metal ions other than the copper (I) ions and taking out an aqueous solution containing the copper (I) ions comprises: (a) bringing the aqueous solution containing the copper (I) ions, the noble-metal ions and the metal ions other than the copper (I) ions into contact with metal copper to precipitate the noble metal and separate and remove the noble metal; (b) bringing the aqueous solution into contact with an organic solvent to selectively move the metal ions other than the copper (I) ions into the organic solvent and form the resultant aqueous solution containing the copper (I) ions into a state of aqueous phase; (c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic solvent and taking out this aqueous phase as the aqueous solution containing the copper (I) ions; (d) washing the organic solvent containing the metal ions other than the copper (I) ions with water; (e) reducing the metal ions in the organic solvent if necessary and then bringing the organic solvent into contact with an acid solution to back-extract the metal ions other than the copper (I) ions and regenerate the organic solvent; and (f) subjecting the organic solvent to cyclic use. PCOPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI