Process of extracting a metal value

摘要

To extract a metal value, particularly aluminium, from an aqueous feed stream containing the value to be extracted is treated in a recovery unit from which it passes to a contactor where it is contacted with a solvent stream including a partially water soluble extractant for the value and an organic diluent. The delivery from the contactor is separated into an organic phase, an aqueous raffinate and a dispersed intermediate phase. The organic phase is stripped of the value and recycled to the solvent stream. The raffinate as recycled by being added to the feed stream, and the intermediate phase is treated for recovery of extractant.