Solvent Extraction Studies for Separation of Zn(II) and Mn(II) from Spent Batteries Leach Solutions

This study aims at assessing the possibility of using solvent extraction processes for separating Zn(II) and Mn(II) dissolved in aqueous solutions obtained by acid bioleaching of spent alkaline and Zn-C batteries. In this context, Cyanex 272 and DEHPA were tested as extractant agents, and the former was shown to have better performance. Hence, the effect of four factors (equilibrium pH, extractant concentration, A/O ratio, and temperature) into three response variables (extraction efficiency of Zn, YZn; extraction efficiency of Mn, YMn; separation factor, β) were tested according to a full factorial design (24) with two replicated center points. Our study revealed that YZn depends mainly on the extractant concentration, YMn on the equilibrium pH and β on the equilibrium pH, extractant concentration, and A/O ratio as well as on second and third order interactions. One extraction step is sufficient to reach high extraction of zinc in synthetic solutions, but two stages were required for real leaching liquor. The extraction kinetics is fast (less than 15 min) for both metals, even when real liquor was tested. The organic solvent can be efficiently recovered using a stripping solution of H2SO4 1 M and thus the process can be considered environmentally sustainable.