Extraction properties of naphthenic acids

Abstract

The possibility of using naphthenic acids for the extraction of some non-ferrous metals has long been established, but more detailed studies of this extractant have been published only in recent years. Thus, A. Fletcher and his co-workers established the dependence of metal extraction by naphthenic acid solution in kerosene on pH value and showed the possibility of separation of some metals by this method. The result of the research were several patents for the practical separation of metals. This process was applied for separation of copper and zinc from solutions obtained by leaching of pyrite cinders. The possibility of using naphthenic acids for the extraction of rare and rare earth metals has been investigated.