Dissolution of D2EHPA in liquid-liquid extraction process: implication on metal removal and organic content of the...

Effects of pH, extractant/diluent ratios, and metal concentrations on the extent of extractant dissolution during liquid-liquid extraction were investigated. Experimental result shows that D(2)EHPA dissolution increases dramatically at pH above 4, leveling off at pH 6-7. The phenomenon is consistent with deprotonation of D(2)EHPA and the domination of negatively charged D(2)EHPA species at pH of higher than 4. Concentration of D(2)EHPA in the aqueous phase, i.e., the extent of extractant dissolution, drops after addition of metal and decreases with increasing metal concentration. The amount of D(2)EHPA 're-entering' the organic phase is calculated to be 2.04 mol per mol of Cd added, which is quite closed to the stoichiometric molar ratio of 2 between D(2)EHPA and Cd via ion exchange reaction. The effect of metal species on the extent of extractant/metal complexes re-entering is in the order of Cd ≈ Zn ＞ Ag, which might be coincident to the complexation stability of these metals with D(2)EHPA. The extent of extractant dissolution in liquid-liquid extraction process depends on the type and concentration of metal to be removed, pH of aqueous phase, and extractant/diluent ratios.