Extraction of thallium with butyl acetate

Abstract

Experimentally obtained extraction isotherms of the system thallium-sulfuric acid-sodium chloride-butyl acetate are presented. The influence of the sulfuric acid and chloride anion concentrations on the extraction equilibria of thallium was investigated. An increase in the acidity of the aqueous phase results in steeper extraction isotherms, and the amount of thallium extracted generally increases. The influence of chloride anions on the equilibrium is more complex. It was found that the extraction equilibria is not influenced by the chloride ion concentration, provided that the Cl/Tl ratio in the aqueous phase is greater than or equal to 4. If this ratio is less than 4, the concentration of chloride anions significantly influences the extraction isotherms. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the composition of the complex in the organic phase. An apparent reaction constant equation is proposed for the prediction of the extraction equilibria.