摘要 |
<p>Copper is removed from spent solutions of complexing agents containing cuprous aluminium tetrahalide, in an organic solvent such as CuAlCl4 toluene, by the steps of (a) contacting said solutions with water so as to form a precipitate of cuprous halide, an aqueous phase and an organic phase; (b) oxidizing the cuprous halide to cupric halide thereby rendering it water soluble; (c) separating the organic phase and aqueous phase, (d) contacting the aqueous phase with an environmentally suitable metal higher than copper in the electromotive series, such as aluminum, thereby precipitating copper metal; and (e) separating the precipitated copper metal from the aqueous salt-containing mixture. Alternatively, the separation of step (c) can be performed before the oxidation of step (b) to reduce the volume of liquid material being treated.</p> |