PGM ore processing: LIX reagents for palladium extraction & platinum stripping from Alamine 336 using NaOH-NaCl

Solvent extraction can be operated as a batch process or in counter-current mode. The preference for an extractant changes depending on the mode of operation. The extraction kinetics and isotherms are studied for the extraction of palladium using various LIX reagents. It was found that LIX 64N is preferable for counter current extraction, while LIX 984 is suitable for batch extraction of palladium. Further, platinum was stripped from Alamine 336 with a solution of NaOH-NaCl. This reagent is capable of stripping 0.75 g/l of platinum from Alamine 336 in a single contact at A/O of 1. Unlike the thio-reagents studied earlier, this novel stripping reagent is environment friendly. The two studies have been applied for recovering palladium and platinum from ore samples. Palladium and platinum were separated with a purity of > 98%.