Water insoluble extraction reagent composition, process for recovering copper from an aqueous solution containing copper values, and method of obtaining a low viscosity extraction reagent

摘要

"WATER-INSOLUBLE EXTRACTION REAGENT COMPOSITION, A PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF A WATER SOLUTION CONTAINING COPPER VALUES, AND A LOW-VISCITY EXTRACTION REAGENT METHOD". A low viscosity water-insoluble extraction reagent composition according to the invention is comprised of: (a) an extraction agent selected from the group consisting of an aldoxime, a ketoxime or a combination thereof; (b) an equilibrium modifier having a Brookfield viscosity of about 5 centipoise or less at 25 198 C and an instantaneous spray point of about 60.6 198 or greater at which molar ratio from modifier to extractant is from about 0.05 to about 2.0 so as to provide a greater net copper transfer amount than that achieved in the absence of modifier. Such low viscosity extracting agents provide copper recoveries, allow for reduced equipment size such as smaller mixers and settlers, and the use of small amounts of smaller global organic inventory.