Vortex-Assisted Liquid-Liquid Extraction: An Innovative Approach for Copper Separation

This study introduces an innovative, highly sensitive, and precise liquid-liquid extraction method based on the vortex phenomenon. A specialized extraction system was developed, incorporating two key components: a magnetic stirrer to generate the vortex and a pump to transfer the organic layer from the liquid-liquid system. The method’s efficiency was evaluated using dithizone (0.01M) dissolved in CCl4 and an aqueous Cu(II) chloride solution (1000 ppm), with key variables systematically investigated to optimize extraction performance. The optimal conditions for extracting Cu(II) from a 10 mL aqueous solution were determined as follows: a copper concentration of 0.0001 M, a 10 mm magnetic stirrer, a shaking time of 15 minutes, and a pump flow rate of 3 mL/30 sec. Under these conditions, an impressive extraction efficiency of 92.5% was achieved. To assess the effectiveness of this novel vortex extraction technique, a comparative analysis was conducted against the traditional separation funnel method. The results confirmed that the vortex method is more efficient, faster, and significantly reduces solvent consumption, making it a promising alternative in analytical chemistry. Furthermore, a t-test analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in extraction efficiency compared to conventional techniques.