Method for extracting copper from leach solutions at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Copper is extracted from aqueous copper leach solutions wherein the leach solutions have a temperature of at least 30° C. The method comprises contacting the aqueous solution with an extraction reagent of the formula (I) wherein R is a linear or branched C 10-18 alkyl group and R 1 is H or CH 3 . These extraction reagents do not undergo any significant degradation normally encountered with the use of conventional reagents in leach solutions having temperatures equal to or greater than 30° C.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method comprising extracting copper from an aqueous copper solution having a temperature of at least 30° C. by contacting the aqueous solution with an extraction reagent of the formula (I)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is a linear or branched C 10-18  alkyl group and R 1  is H or CH 3 .  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the extraction reagent is further comprised of a hydrocarbon diluent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein R is a linear or branched C 10-18  alkyl group and R 1  is H.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein R is a linear or branched C 10-18  alkyl group and R 1  is CH 3 .  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the extraction reagent is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxy-5-decylacetophenone oxime, 2-hydroxy-5-dodecylacetophenone oxime, 2-hydroxy-5-pentadecylacetophenone oxime, 5-decylsalicylaldoxime, 5-dodecylsalicylaldoxime and 5-pentadecylsalicylaldoxime.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the extraction reagent is 5-dodecylsalicylaldoxime.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the extraction reagent is 2-hydroxy-5-dodecylacetophenone oxime.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the extraction reagent is 5-decylsalicylaldoxime.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the extraction reagent is 2-hydroxy-5-decylacetophenone oxime.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the extraction reagent is 2-hydroxy-5-pentadecylacetophenone oxime.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the extraction reagent is 5-pentadecylsalicylaldoxime.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the extraction reagent is further comprised of a modifier selected from the group consisting of an ester, a ketone, an ether and an alcohol.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the alcohol is tridecanol.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the ester is 2,2,4-trimethylpentane-1,3-diol diisobutyrate, di-n-butyl adipate.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the temperature is 35° C.  
     
     
         16 . A method comprising extracting copper from an aqueous copper solution having a temperature of at least 30° C. by contacting the aqueous solution with a composition comprising: (a) extraction reagent comprised of a compound of the formula (I)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is a dodecyl group and R 1  is H and (b) di-n-butyl adipate.  
     
     
         17 . A method comprising extracting copper from an aqueous copper solution having a temperature of at least 30° C. by contacting the aqueous solution with a composition comprising: (a) extraction reagent comprised of a compound of the formula (I)  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is a nonyl group and R 1  is CH 3  and (b) di-n-butyl adipate.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the temperature is 35° C.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the temperature is 35° C.