Copper Sulfide Leaching for Selective Nickel-Cobalt Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to efficiently and selectively separate copper, nickel, and cobalt from alloys containing these metals, particularly in waste lithium ion cells, due to high corrosion resistance and the need for high-temperature treatments that result in recovery losses and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of nitric acid in conjunction with a sulfurizing agent to precipitate copper as copper sulfide while leaving nickel and cobalt in the leachate, allowing for selective separation of copper from nickel and cobalt in alloys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional hydrometallurgical processes are used for separating copper, nickel, and cobalt, then the separation can be achieved, but the process requires multiple sequential steps (leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation) which increases process complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses different sized magnetic particles (first magnetic particles for copper, second magnetic particles for nickel and cobalt) to segment the separation process into distinct size-based stages, allowing simultaneous separation of multiple metals in a single operation rather than sequential processing
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field generation device serves multiple functions: it generates magnetic fields for attracting copper-containing particles, generates magnetic field gradients for attracting nickel and cobalt-containing particles, and enables separation of all three metals using a single unified system rather than multiple separate processing lines
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional hydrometallurgical processes are used for separating copper, nickel, and cobalt, then the separation can be achieved, but the process requires extensive washing and filtration steps which increases time consumption and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical washing and filtration systems with magnetic field-based separation. Magnetic particles are attracted directly to collection surfaces under magnetic field influence, eliminating the need for extensive washing, filtration, and solid-liquid separation steps required in conventional processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the metals from solution in the form of magnetically attractable particles that can be directly collected on magnetic collection surfaces, removing the need for subsequent washing and filtration operations that would otherwise be required to recover pure metal products
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional hydrometallurgical processes are used for separating copper, nickel, and cobalt, then the separation can be achieved, but large amounts of chemicals and reagents are consumed which increases cost and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses magnetic field energy instead of chemical reagents to achieve separation. The magnetic particles and magnetic field generation device enable metal separation through physical magnetic attraction rather than chemical reactions, eliminating the need for consuming chemicals and reagents
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes chemical-based separation mechanisms with magnetic field-based physical separation. Instead of using chemicals to precipitate or extract metals, the system uses magnetic fields to attract and collect metal-containing particles, dramatically reducing chemical consumption
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 approach enables efficient and selective separation of copper, nickel, and cobalt, facilitating the recovery of high-purity metals suitable for reuse, with copper being suitable for copper smelting and nickel/cobalt for further processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic particle which attracts the copper ion; a second magnetic particle which attracts the nickel ion and the cobalt ion
Implementation Method 2
a separation device comprising: a magnetic field generation unit that generates a magnetic field having a gradient in a first direction within a separation chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method for separating copper, nickel, and cobalt, the method being capable of efficiently and selectively separating copper, nickel, and cobalt from alloys containing copper, nickel, and cobalt, such as highly corrosive alloys containing copper, nickel, and cobalt obtained by dry-processing used lithium ion batteries. The alloy containing copper, nickel, and cobalt is brought into contact with nitric acid in the co-presence of a sulfiding agent to obtain a solid containing copper and a leachate containing nickel and cobalt.