Selective Extraction of Cobalt and Nickel in the Presence of Magnesium from Sulphate Solutions by Versatic Acid 10

Separation of Co and Ni over Mg from the sulfuric acid solutions using Cyanex272, PC88A and Versatic acid 10 as an extractant was carried out. From the comparative studies about the extraction behavior of Co, Ni and Mg, Versatic acid 10 was superior to Cyanex272 and PC88A for the selective extraction of cobalt and nickel from the mixed solutions. About 98% of Ni and Co were extracted at equilibrium pH 7.0 and less than 5% of Mg was co-extracted by Versatic acid 10. McCabe-Thiele diagram indicated two stages requirement for Co and Ni extraction by 10% Versatic acid 10 at pH 7.0 and phase ratio (A/O) of 2.0. The loaded Co and Ni in organic phase was stripped effectively the sulfuric acid concentration above 70 g/L. 99.78% of cobalt and 98.42% of nickel were stripped.