Comparative performance assessment of solvents for the extraction of H2SO4 from spent electrolytic bleed stream of copper industry

In this endeavor, a hydrometallurgical process has been developed to treat a real life stream discarded from a copper electro winning tank to recover acid values instead of adopting the alkaline treatment and disposal of hydroxide waste. The acid depleted solution may further be used to recover metal values. An extensive study has been carried out on the extraction and stripping of the acid in a pure form using various organic solvents. The extraction and stripping efficiencies of the three solvents used in this study have been compared and are in the order of TEHA > alamine 336 > cyanex 923 and cyanex 923 > TEHA = alamine 336 respectively.