Abstract
Extraction of Cu+2 from dilute aqueous solutions as a case study by liquid cation exchanger in a modified rotating disc extractor was studied. The liquid cation exchanger consisted of naphthenic acid dissolved in an inert carrier kerosene. Variables studied were: initial concentration of Cu+2 , disc rotational speed, concentration of naphthenic acid, flow rates of continuous and dispersed phase, degree of roughness, and number of rotating discs. The rate of extraction increased with increasing rotational speed, concentration of naphthenic acid, flow rate of dispersed phase, degree of roughness and number of discs to a certain number, while increasing Cu+2 concentration and flow rate of continuous phase decreased the rate of extraction. All variables were correlated by the dimensionless mass transfer equation. Possible practical applications of the present data in treating aqueous waste from different sources such as petrochemical industries, electroplating, and hydrometallurgical processes was highlighted.