Separation of cobalt and nickel by pertraction in a rotating film contactor using Cyanex 302 as a carrier

The extraction behavior of Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301, and Cyanex 302 for recovery of cobalt and nickel from sulphate media was studied. Cyanex 302 was found to be the most suitable reagent for extraction of both metals and for Co(II)/ Ni(II) separation. Competitive pertraction of Co(II) and Ni(II) in a rotating film contactor with Cyanex 302 as a carrier was studied. At appropriately chosen operational conditions Co(II) was preferentially removed, while Ni(II) remained in the feed solution. Pertraction process using Cyanex 302 as a carrier guarantees an excellent separation of Co(II) from Ni(II): the obtained separation factors are K-sep similar to 1.0 X 10(4). Higher pH of the feed solution favors the recovery of both metals, but deteriorates Co(II)/Ni(II) separation ability. At neutral pH of the feed solution and strongly acidic acceptor solution, pertraction process can be used for simultaneous and complete recovery of both metals, also.