Studies on the liquid-liquid extraction and ion and precipitate flotation of Co(II) with decanoic acid

The liquid-liquid extraction, ion and precipitate flotation of Co(II) from chloride media of 1·10^–4M initial Co(II) concentration and =0.1 have been investigated using decanoic acid and the results are compared. Organic solvents used were chloroform in the case of liquid-liquid extraction and ethanol (used as a solvent for the collector and a frother) in the case of flotation. From the results it appears that liquid-liquid extraction takes place through the formation of the complex: (CoR₂)₂(HR)₂ but flotation occurs through the formation of a surface active product which has the empirical formula CoR₂. The effects of pH and of decanoic acid concentration on the three separation processes were also investigated and the results discussed. Good agreement was observed between the experimental precipitate flotation curves and the theoretical curve calculated from the data published for Co(II) hydrolysis.