A method of cobalt from nickel-containing cobalt alloys or other metallic materials

摘要

Nickeliferous cobalt alloys or other metallic substances are treated with dilute acid, e.g. sulphuric or hydrochloric in the presence of elementary sulphur, selenium, arsenic, tellurium or antimony, or a compound thereof, whereby to fix the nickel as a compound of the element, whilst the cobalt passes into solution. The element and alloy are preferably used in finely divided form in the presence of a wetting agent and the pH of the solution is preferably maintained between 1.5 and 5.5, becoming 3 or more at the end of the process. Sulphur dioxide or a sulphite or hyposulphite may be employed as a sulphur compound. The treatment may be carried out in the presence of a solution containing cobalt and nickel whereby the latter is precipitated with the nickel of the alloy. Metallic iron and/or metals may also be present. The treatment may be effected stepwise, with intermediate separation of the cobalt-containing solution. Treatment temperatures of 90 DEG and 95 DEG C. are specified in examples. In the case of the use of sulphur, copper present in solution is precipitated with the nickel as sulphide, and zinc and manganese present remain in solution.