Cadmium extraction from phosphate ore. Effect of microwave

This study discusses the operating variables for removal of cadmium from phosphate ore using Na2EDTA. These variables include the reaction time, Na2EDTA concentration, liquid/phosphate ore ratio, number of extractions and microwave extraction. Na2EDTA induced a two-step extraction process including a rapid extraction within the first hour, and a subsequent gradual release that occurred over the following hours. The cadmium extraction efficiency increased progressively with the increasing of Na2EDTA concentration. The extraction efficiency of cadmium increased with increasing liquid/phosphate ratio in the 5-200 range. Consecutive extractions using low concentrations were more effective than a single soil extraction with concentrated Na2EDTA. Microwave was beneficial to improve the removal in soil washing, and using microwave could partly substitute for agitation.