Performance and selectivity of the new column flotoextraction method

The main difference between the new Column Flotoextraction (CFE) method and the conventional SX and SPRAY methods is the substitution of organic phase bubble dispersion, instead of its drop dispersion into the aqueous phase. This substitution is intended to increase the contact area of phases and to enhance the buoyancy force of the organic phase. The main aims of this study are the introduction of the CFE method and the comparison of its performance and selectivity with SX and SPRAY methods. The results indicated ∼10% and ∼20% increase of cobalt (Co) extraction from dilute (100 mg Co/l) synthetic solution in A/O = 40 and ∼1% and ∼6% increase of Co extraction from concentrated (1000 mg Co/l) synthetic solution in A/O = 30 for the CFE method compared to SX and SPRAY methods, respectively, due to improved contact surface of the phases. In the same extraction time (1 min), the increase of Co extraction from dilute and concentrated solutions in the CFE method compared to the SX method were ∼16% and ∼4%, which demonstrate improved kinetics of the extraction process in CFE method. Improvement of separation factors in the CFE method relative to SX and SPRAY methods warrants the better performance of this innovative method.