Methods and systems for controlling impurity metal concentration during metallurgic processes

Abstract

Reagent compositions, methods and systems for reducing concentrations of impurity metals during metallurgic processes. Certain methods and systems in particular pertain to control of iron concentration in copper electrowinning electrolyte solutions.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system for continuous control of an impurity metal concentration during a metal recovery process, the system comprising an impurity metal extraction stage comprising:
 a. a mixer comprising
 i. a first input connected to a source of an aqueous impurity-rich electrolyte solution; 
 ii. a second input connected to a source of an organic impurity-lean solution comprising an extraction agent comprising monoalkyl phosphate ester having a structure represented by 
   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  comprises a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl or aryl group, and R 2  and R 3  each comprise H; and 
         b. a separator in fluid communication with the mixer, the separator comprising
 i. a first output for an aqueous impurity-lean electrolyte solution to exit the separator; 
 ii. a second output for an organic impurity-loaded solution to exit the separator. 
 
       
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a. a second mixer comprising
 i. a first input connected to the output for the organic impurity-loaded solution in the first separator; 
 ii. a second input connected to a sulfuric acid source; and 
   b. a second separator in fluid communication with the second mixer, the second separator comprising
 i. a first output for an organic impurity-stripped solution to exit the separator; 
 ii. a second output for an impurity-rich raffinate solution to exit the separator. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising an electrowinning station comprising
 a. a first input connected to the second output of the first separator;   b. a first output connected to the first input of the first mixer.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the aqueous impurity-rich electrolyte solution also comprises copper. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the organic impurity-lean solution further comprises a modifier. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the modifier comprises a C 8 -C 16  linear, branched or cyclic or aryl alcohol. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first input of the first mixer and the first output of the electrowinning station comprise a continuous feed stream. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the input of the electrowinning station and the second output of the first separator continuous comprise a feed stream. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the extraction agent further comprises a dialkyl phosphate ester.