Base metal equilibrium prediction on ion exchange resin

Abstract

This study is the first phase of an investigation into an alternative process to recover base metals from solution, namely ion exchange. An identified ion exchange resin was employed to study the recovery of copper, nickel and cobalt from electrolytic solutions. The main focus of the investigation was the prediction of equilibrium conditions in this multi-component system using a batch configuration. In order to predict equilibrium conditions. existing multi-component isotherms such as Fritz and Schleunder were tested. It has been shown that traditional isothem15 did not accurately predict equilibrium conditions. hence the need for development of new isotherms. Essentially two approaches were followed in the development of new isotherms namely. an effective concentration approach as well as a heat transfer approach. Both yielded positive outcomes with the effective concentration approach proving to be the most accurate. In addition to these two approaches a thermodynamical approach was also tested which also showed favourable predictions for Cu loading