Determination of the Optimal Process Parameters for Copper Solvent Extraction Using Robust Design Method

Copper (Cu) solvent extraction (SX) from sulphate leach solution was investigated using Robust design (Taguchi design). The effect of some parameters, including pH (1.25–5), phase ratio (O/A: 1/3–2/1), concentration of the extractant (2.5–10% v/v) and extraction duration (5–20 min) were examined. In the investigation of SX, the ranges and experimental parameters chosen are as follows: pH, 3.75; concentration of the extractant, 7.5% v/v; Aqueous /Organic ratio, 3/1 and extraction duration, 10 min. Under these conditions, Cu extraction of 94.62% was achieved. Variance analysis technique (ANOVA) suggested that, the most effective parameter was pH and the less effective parameter was the aqueous /organic ratio. Using of 1.5 M H₂SO₄ allowed for a stripping efficiency of 98% Cu from the organic phase.