Recovery of Metals from Titanium Ore Using Solvent Extraction Process: Part 1—Transition Metals

Solvent extraction of metals from Ti ore was investigated with a view of enhancing extraction yields by changing the concentration of the ligands, the rate of mixing, the pH, and the temperature of the solution. Norwegian Ti ore was leached with 5M HNO3 alongside 10% ascorbic acid to obtain a pregnant solution containing transition metals and some rare earth elements (REEs). Part Two of the study will address the recovery of the REEs in the ore. The elemental analysis of solid and aqueous samples was done by two models of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (S2 PICOFOX, Bruker Corporation, Berlin, Germany; and T-STAR, Bruker Corporation, Berlin, Germany). The same analysis was repeated using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (Perkin Elmer Sciex ELAN DRC II, Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA). The extraction process and parameters were examined by ICP-MS. The extraction efficiencies were studied under different conditions through the use of various concentrations of ligands at different pHs, temperatures, and mixing rates of the solution. At pH 1.0, 22.5 °C, and a mixing rate of 1400 rpm, the selectivity of 150 g/L trioctyl methyl ammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) was 99% Ti4+, 94% V4⁺, and 82% Hf4+, while 99% of Co2⁺ was recovered at pH 0.8. The extraction efficiency of triethyl phosphate (10% TEP) was 58% Cu2⁺, 68% Mn2⁺, and 63% V4⁺ at 55 °C, 1400 rpm, and without a pH change. Tributyl phosphate (10% TBP) was able to retrieve 87% Cu2⁺ and 78% Zn2⁺ at pH 1.3, 1400 rpm, and 22.5 °C, and 80% Ti4+ at pH 1.2. A 10% solution of 2,4,6-tris (allyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TAOT) demonstrated 61% Mn2⁺ and 56% Hf4+ extraction at pH 1.3, 22.5 °C, and 1400 rpm. Under the same conditions, 10% methyl salicylate (MS) was able to recover 56% Hf4+ at pH 1.3. Using 1400 rpm, di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (10% D2EHPA) was found to selectively extract 87% Hf4+ at 22.5 °C without a pH change, and around 99% Co2⁺, Ti4+, and Fe2⁺ at pH 1.3. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing solvent extraction conditions for transition metals’ recovery and serves as a precursor to future research on the extraction of REEs from Ti ores. This process is relevant from the environmental and economic perspectives since it provides the best approach to recycling metals to reduce the rate of raw ore mining.