Study of lithium extraction mechanism by TBP extraction system

The cause and mechanism of the third phase in the process of lithium extraction using tributyl phosphate(TBP) as extractant, kerosene as diluent, and FeCl3 as co-extractant were studied. The third phase appeared in the extraction process was because the diluent kerosene had poor solubility to the extracted complex and the TBP as the solvent was not enough to completely dissolve the extracted complex; The addition of EA, BA, MIBK and DIBK contributed to the extraction of lithium and accelerated the phase separation, with clear phase interface and no third phase appearing in the extraction process.