Contents & Abstracts - ALTA Metallurgical Services

OXIDATION IN COPPER SX PROCESSES
By
Troy Bednarski, Matthew Soderstrom and Shane Wiggett
Cytec Industries Inc.
Presenter and Corresponding Author
Shane Wiggett
shane.wiggett@cytec.com
ABSTRACT
Manganese present in the electrolyte solution of the copper SX-EW process can be oxidized in the
tankhouse during electrowinning. This can cause formation of permanganate or other high oxidation
states of manganese in the electrolyte and oxidize the organic during the strip stage of the SX
process. Once the permanganate ion is contacted with the organic phase during the SX operation
the organic components are oxidized and the permanganate is reduced resulting in lower electrolyte
ORP values. Oxidation of the organic phase may result in oxime degradation and often forms
products that are interfacially active. The oxidation products can affect the metallurgical and
physical properties of the organic, resulting in lower copper transfer, decreased reagent kinetics,
and extended phase disengagement time.
Cytec Industries Inc. latest reagent development is the ACORGA OR series of extractants. The
ACORGA OR reagents (ACORGA OR15 and ACORGA OR25) are specifically formulated to
provide an extra level of oxidative degradation protection for use at operations where the likelihood
of solutions having a high oxidation-reduction potential exists.
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