Process: Separation by ion exchange resins
A unique, efficient and economical solution for metal separation and purification using ion exchange resins
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Hydrometallurgy brings together all the techniques allowing the extraction of metals. It consists of a succession of chemical operations characterised by a metal in solution. However, processes such as leaching are seldom selective and the resulting solution contains other elements that may disrupt the production of the desired metal or degrade its purity. Extracting these elements is therefore necessary.
CIME has implemented processes from ion exchange resins for metal purification. These ion exchange resins are porous balls of polymers through which leaching solutions can circulate. They then exchange the ions on their surface with other ions provided by these solutions. The target ion or metal will therefore be removed efficiently and selectively even in trace amounts.
- 3 IX Technologies piloted at CIME (RIP, Fixed Bed, CIX)
- Application over a wide concentration range (a few mg/L to 500 mg/L)
- Can be controlled from a hundred mL/hour to a few L/hour
- Resins composed of fine particles allowing rapid exchange and a low equilibrium time.
CIME has unique expertise for this type of process in terms of uranium extraction: it was responsible for R&D testing and sizing of resin columns for the plant in Kazakhstan, and for the industrial pilot in Mongolia where ORANO Mining is located. Uranium can also be recovered as a by-product and CIME has developed IX process diagrams to extract uranium from phosphates or sulphate/chlorinated effluents. In parallel, other elements have been recovered, such as rhenium and molybdenum.
CIME's expertise extends to other metal elements; for example for the fixing of 228Ra and the production of 212Pb.
The various stages of development of the IX process are mastered by CIME with the completion of batch tests (isotherms, columns with continuous operation), which can be complemented by pilot testing (fixed bed, RIP, CIX).- Can be applied to many fields such as water treatment, effluent cleaning to eliminate its radioactivity or extract the heavy metals present (cadmium, chromium, etc.)
- Recovery of elements of interest for the mining industry (gold, uranium, etc.)
- Development of new resins adapted to your needs
