Selective Solvent Extraction of Vanadium Over Chromium from Alkaline Leaching Solution of Vanadium Slag by D2EHPA/TBP

A selective extraction process for recovering vanadium (IV) over chromium was proposed with use of a mixed extractant consisting of di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (D2EHPA) and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP). The influence of various factors, which included the initial aqueous pH value, the concentration of leach solution and D2EHPA, phase ratio (O/A), extraction equilibrium time and extraction temperature in the extraction process on the separation of V and Cr was investigated. Under the condition of the optimum extraction, vanadium extraction was above 94.0%. Meanwhile, under the optimum stripping conditions, the vanadium stripping was above 93.0% utilizing 1.5 mol/L sulfuric acid as the effective stripping reagent. The regeneration and reusability of the loaded organic phases after stripping were discussed. In addition, continuous three-stage extraction and stripping strategy indicated that the aggregate loss of vanadium was 0.885% and that the purity of vanadium was more than 99.9%. Under the condition of the optimum precipitation, when the pH value of the stripping solution was adjusted to 7.0 with ammonia water, the precipitation efficiency reached 99.93%. The calcination conditions (above 680 degrees C in air) were finally determined by TG-DTA and TG-MS experiments, and the V2O5 obtained by calcination was characterized by XRD. Additionally, a method for detecting impurity elements in vanadium matrix without interference was established. The recovery technology has practical significance in enlarging production scale, reducing specific energy consumption and cost, and realizing automatic control in vanadium leaching process.

Automated summary

A selective extraction process using a mixed extractant of D2EHPA and TBP was proposed to recover vanadium (IV) over chromium. Factors such as pH value, leach solution concentration, D2EHPA concentration, phase ratio, extraction time, and temperature were investigated for their influence on V and Cr separation. The optimum conditions achieved vanadium extraction above 94.0% and vanadium stripping above 93.0%. The regeneration and reusability of the organic phases were discussed, and a three-stage extraction and stripping strategy resulted in minimal vanadium loss and high purity. Precipitation efficiency reached 99.93% under the optimal conditions.