SELECTIVE TRANSPORT OF COPPER THROUGH LIQUID MEMBRANES USING LIX-860 AS MOBILE CARRIER

Copper has been selectively extracted from aqueous solutions containing metal ions (Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, and Zn2+) by a liquid membrane technique. Experiments were carried out in a beaker equipped with a baffle, and the system was stirred by a variable-speed mixer equipped with a turbine impeller; the mixing speed was 300 rpm. A typical membrane formulation was 2.0% Span 80, 4.0% LIX 860, and 94.0% of commercial kerosene, all values being by weight. Copper was selectively separated and concentrated from both synthetic and natural aqueous mine solutions containing various metal ions.