Application of pseudo-emulsion based hollow fibre strip dispersion (PEHFSD) for the recovery of copper from sulphate solutions

The transport of copper from acidic sulphate solutions using pseudo-emulsion based hollow fibre strip dispersion (PEHFSD) technology was investigated. The aldoxime Acorga M5640 was used as an extractant. The influence of several parameters like the flow rates, the initial concentration of Cu(II), the extractant amount, the pH, the presence of sodium sulphate, the use of a leach solution with Zn(II) and Fe(III) as the feed phase and lean electrolyte as strippant was studied. The analysis was made on the basis of the overall mass transfer coefficient of copper. This coefficient was also estimated by applying the resistance in series approach, the contribution of each resistance to the overall resistance to mass transfer being evaluated. Some experiments with zinc leach solution on emulsion liquid membranes (ELMs) were also conducted to compare the results of ELM and PEHFSD.

► Cu(II) is transported using the smart pseudo-emulsion strip dispersion technology (PEHFSD).
► Permeation modelling was performed, the overall mass transfer coefficient being evaluated.
► The contribution of each resistance to the overall resistance of mass transfer was analysed.
► PEHFSD was compared with ELM for Cu recovery from zinc leach liquor and selectivity Cu/Fe.