GB1482151A — Processes for selectively recovering nickel valves

USPTO Abstract

1482151 Recovery of nickel values KENNECOTT COPPER CORP 17 July 1974 [19 July 1973 (3)] 31562/74 Heading C1A A process for selectively recovering nickel values from an ammoniacal aqueous feed phase containing nickel and other metal valves comprises contacting the aqueous feed phase with a water-immiscible, liquid organic chelating, ion exchange phase to effect hydrogen ionsmetal ion exchange between the two phases whereby the organic phase becomes loaded with metal ions, contacting the loaded organic phase with an ammonia-containing aqueous stripping phase having a higher ammonia concentration than the aqueous feed phase to transfer the nickel values from the loaded organic phase to the aqueous stripping phase, and recovering the nickel values from the aqueous stripping phase, suitably as the carbonate. Cobalt values in the loaded organic ion exchange phase are complexed with an oxime and are recovered by treating said loaded organic phase with a liquid aqueous acidic mixture which consists essentially of either (i) an aqueous sulphuric acid solution of at least 90% by weight concentration, and a solvent such as glacial acetic acid or an alkanol with 1-4 carbon atoms, especially methanol, or (ii) an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid and sodium chloride, allowing the phases to separate, recovering the cobalt in known manner and recovering the oxime for re-use by addition of water. Copper recovery is also discussed.