Metal ion extraction process.

摘要

A method of removing metal ions from a turbid liquid includes pumping the liquid at rates of between about 200 and 300 cm<3> per hour through a column which includes a non-cross linked, insoluble polymer capable of extracting metal ions dispersed in an inert support material. It is preferred that the turbid liquid enters the column at the base and is recovered at the top. A suitable insoluble polymer is polyethyleneimine dithio carbamate which may be prepared by adding a solution of polyethyleimineinethanol to a mixture of carbon disulphide and ethanol. The preferred polymer to inert support ratio is 1:9 and the preferred length to diameter ratio of the column is 6. The present invention allows 99.5% removal of metal ions which may be recovered from the column as useable metal by pumping a regeneration liquid through the column, thereby regenerating an exhausted column at the same time.