Transport of metal sulfides in supercritical carbon dioxide

This report presents the results of studies of supercritical fluid extraction of selected organics and of transition metal sulfides using carbon dioxide with and without modifiers. For the metal sulfides, the modifiers water, aqueous EDTA, methanol, and methanolic 2,4-pentanedione (acetyl acetone) were added in amounts ranging from 1 to 10 wt% depending on the specific modifier used. Extraction efficiency was studied as a function of fluid composition and extraction temperature and pressure. The objective of the work was to investigate the scientific feasibility of using this type of extraction process for metallurgical or environmental applications. Theoretical modeling studies were performed in an attempt to develop predictive capabilities for both solubility calculations and extraction simulation. The experimental studies have established the scientific feasibility of extraction and transport of selected cations by these fluids. Depending on the metal and conditions, transport of up to 12% of the starting material has been observed; however, the observed extraction efficiencies for inorganics do not approach those typical for organics under similar conditions.