Optimization of the gallium solvent extraction from Jajarm Bayer liquor process

Optimization of the gallium solvent extraction process from Jajarm Bayer process liquor containing 164.90 g/L of Na2O, 86.70 g/L of Al2O3 and 197 mg/L of gallium was carried out using Kelex-100, a 7-alkyl substituted-8 hydroxyquinoline as an extractant. According to our previous results, the main problems of the process were high coextraction of aluminium with gallium, formation of crude and impossible reusing of the stripped organic phase. Different scenarios were studied to make the reusing of the organic phase possible. The results showed that using 10 vol% iso-decanol as a modifier instead of etanol causes less coextraction of aluminum with gallium, which decreases from 30% to 11%. Also, in scrabbing process, almost 100% of Al is removed from the organic phase. Isodecanol also prevents formation of crude and recovery of organic phase is possible.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gallium ، Solvent extraction ، Kelex-100