Amines cobalt complexes, solvent extraction

The anolyte, containing about 75gdm CD at pFI 2, is fed to a solvent extraction circuit for the separation of Fe—Co and Fe—Ni with a tertiary alkyl amine, dissolved in kerosene. The separation is based on the tendency of the metals to form metal-chloride-amine complexes (Fig. 11.2). At low chloride ion concentration (about 75gdm ), Fe(III) is extracted to the organic solvent, while Co(II) and Ni(II) remain in the aqueous raffinate. If the chloride ion concentration is then increased to about 250 gdm, cobalt is extracted, leaving nickel behind in the raffinate. 

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