A comparison of various ion exchange resins for the removal of ferric ions from copper electrowinning electrolyte solutions Part II: Electrolytes containing antimony and bismuth

Four commercially available ion exchange resins were tested to compare their ability to remove ferric from copper electrowinning electrolytes containing antimony and bismuth. Ion exchange batch tests were performed in the initial phase of the study and indicated that all resins tested co-loaded some antimony with the ferric. The aminophosphonic resin tested was the only resin to load a significant amount of bismuth.Further investigation was performed with the sulphonated monophosphonic resin, Purolite S957. Results were inconclusive as to whether antimony would continue to load onto the resin with time or whether the antimony would eventually reach an equilibrium loading on the resin. Antimony stripping was shown to be possible using a solution containing sulphuric acid and sodium chloride, indicating that ferric ion exchange is a technically feasible process for removal of iron from copper electrowinning electrolyte solutions containing antimony and bismuth.