Experimental study of phase entrainment in copper solvent extraction

espanolSe estudio el atrapamiento de fase organica en acuoso aplicado a soluciones tipicas de un proceso de extraccion por solventes de cobre. La fase organica empleada esta compuesta por el extractante comercial LIX 984-N diluido en Shellsol 2046 AR. La fase acuosa contiene 6 g/L de Cu2+, pH 2 a 20 oC. Las variables estudiadas fueron: velocidad de mezclamiento de 400 a 1000 rpm, tiempo de mezclado de 3 a 30 minutos, pH inicial del electrolito de 2, 3 y 4, porcentaje de extractante en fase organica de 10 a 30% v/v y concentracion de cobre en fase acuosa de 1 a 6 g/L. Se determino que el atrapamiento de fase organica en acuoso esta determinado por las propiedades fisicas de las fases en equilibrio y por la hidrodinamica del sistema, siendo un fenomeno que involucra a la velocidad de avance de la interfase (o banda de dispersion) y la velocidad de desplazamiento de las gotas de organico EnglishThe entrainment of the organic phase in the aqueous applied to typical solutions in a solvent extraction of copper process was studied. The organic phase used is composed of the commercial extractant LIX 984-N diluted in Shellsol 2046 AR. The aqueous phase contains 6 g/L of Cu2+, at pH 2 and 20 oC. The variables studied were: mixing speed of 400 to 1000 rpm; mixing time of 3 to 30 minutes; initial pH of the electrolyte 2, 3, and 4; percentage of extractant in the organic phase 10 to 30% v/v; and copper concentration in the aqueous phase 1 to 6 g/L. It was determined that the entrainment of the organic phase in the aqueous is determined by the physical properties of the phases in equilibrium and by the system’s hydrodynamics, and it is a phenomenon that involves the advancing speed of the interphase (or dispersion band) and the displacement speed of the organic drops