Separation of Copper From a Leaching Solution of Printed Circuit Boards by Using Solvent Extraction With D2ehpa

Abstract

Global generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is increasing quickly. Metals from WEEE can be recovered by using unit operations of chemical engineering. This paper describes a combined hydrometallurgical route (sulfuric oxidant leaching + solvent extraction) to recover copper from printed circuit boards (PCBs). A non-magnetic fraction from comminuted PCBs was used to perform leaching tests at 75ºC for 6 hours in an oxidizing media (sulfuric acid + hydrogen peroxide). In order to separate zinc, aluminum, and copper from the leaching liquor, solvent extraction tests were carried out using D2EHPA. Parameters that influence the process, such as pH, extractant concentration, and the aqueous/organic (A/O) ratio were investigated. Solvent extraction experiments were carried out in two stages: i) separation of zinc, aluminum, and residual iron, and ii) copper separation. The results showed that the leaching obtained around 60% aluminum, 94% copper, 76% zinc, 50% nickel and residual iron from the non-magnetic fraction of PCBs. With the solvent experiments, in the first stage, 100 wt.% zinc, iron and aluminum were extracted at pH 3.5, 2:1 A/O, 10 % (v/v) D2EHPA, while, in the second stage 100% of the copper was extracted at pH 3.5, 1:1 A/O, 20 % (v/v) D2EHPA.

Purification of cobalt solutions in several solvent extraction steps: Using MEXTRAL and D2EHPA as extractants

“…The latter does not favour the extraction reaction as per Le Chatelier's principle and thus limits the extraction yield prior to reaching an optimal pH value. This result is also supported by studies conducted by Correa et al (2018) and Pospiech et al (2004).…”

“…The large values of this ratio for zinc and manganese extraction could also be explained by studies conducted by Correa et al (2018). Indeed, these studies have shown an increase in the extraction efficiency of the aforementioned metal cations when it is greater than 1/1.…”

Solvometallurgical recovery of cobalt from lithium-ion battery cathode materials using deep-eutectic solvents

“…Aluminium(III) could be selectively extracted from the final raffinate by acidic extractants such as D2EPHA, C272 or Versatic 10. 65,104 This is because the acidity of the DES is approximately in the preferred pH range for Al(III) extraction by these extractants, while lithium(I) is extracted at much higher pH values and will therefore stay in the DES raffinate. 52,105,106 Lithium(I) could then be recovered in the next step by adding sodium carbonate in order to precipitate lithium(I) carbonate.…”

Endothermic solvent extraction of copper (II) with furfuryl thioalcohol from sulfate medium

“…The effect of furfuryl thioalcohol concentration on extraction of copper (II) was investigated by equilibrating aqueous solution containing 100 mg L -1 copper (II), 0.5 mol L -1 Na2SO4 at pH 5.5, phase ratio O/A = 1 [13] and shaking time is 10 minutes at room temperature. The results are presented in (Fig.…”

“…Hydrometallurgical techniques such as wet chemical method [7], emulsion liquid membrane technology [8,9], solvent extraction [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] etc. have been used significantly for the recovery of copper from various leach liquors.…”