Selective Copper Separation via Redox Potential Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating copper from nickel and cobalt in sulfides require complex processes and increased loading on the copper removal process, leading to operational imbalances and cost increases.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the pulverization of sulfides containing copper, nickel, and cobalt to a predetermined size, followed by leaching with an acid solution under controlled redox potential conditions (less than 100 mV) to selectively leach nickel and cobalt while leaving copper as copper sulfide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If leaching treatment is performed to remove copper from nickel matte, then copper separation is achieved, but the loading on the copper removal process increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the redox potential parameter during leaching treatment to achieve selective copper separation. By controlling the redox potential to be -50 mV to +50 mV, the process selectively leaches nickel and cobalt while leaving copper in the residue, thus achieving copper separation without increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating different chemical environments during leaching. The controlled redox potential conditions create a selective leaching zone where nickel and cobalt are dissolved while copper remains undissolved, achieving spatial separation of components based on their different electrochemical properties
2Productivity
If high copper grade nickel matte is used to increase production, then nickel production amount increases, but the loading on the copper removal process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses redox potential control to change the chemical behavior of metals during leaching. By maintaining redox potential between -50 mV and +50 mV, the process achieves selective dissolution of nickel and cobalt while copper remains in the solid residue, thus increasing nickel production without proportionally increasing copper removal loading
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional leaching is performed to separate copper, then copper removal is achieved, but operation balance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the redox potential parameter to achieve efficient copper removal with better operation balance. By controlling redox potential within -50 mV to +50 mV, the process achieves high copper removal efficiency while maintaining stable operational conditions and reducing costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method efficiently separates copper from nickel and cobalt, reducing the loading on the copper removal process and improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
leaching nickel and cobalt in the form of ion exchange in an autoclave
Implementation Method 2
leaching with an acid solution under controlled redox potential conditions (less than 100 mV)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a method for efficiently separating copper from nickel and cobalt from a sulfide containing nickel and cobalt together with copper. The present invention is a method for separating copper from nickel and cobalt, the method comprising pulverizing a sulfide containing copper and nickel and cobalt into a predetermined size and then stirring the resultant product under the condition having an oxidation-reduction potential (a reference electrode: a silver/silver chloride electrode) of less than 100 mV using an acid solution to perform a leaching treatment. In this separation method, a leach liquor in which nickel and cobalt are leached and a leach residue containing copper sulfate are produced as the result of the leaching treatment.