New product concept
Seeking Partners To Develop A Novel Solvent Extraction Process Of Copper Oxides
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Type of Solution sought
- A manufacturing process
- A material or an ingredient
- A product or a technology
- A co-development partner
Description of Desired Solution
A SpecialChem Client is willing to develop and implement a novel chemical process for solvent extraction of Copper Oxide (or Copper Sulfide) from copper in mineral complexes.
Any solution that could lead to improvement from the established oxime reagent scheme is of interest.
Any solution that could lead to improvement from the established oxime reagent scheme is of interest.
Background
Copper is mostly found in copper-iron-sulfide and copper sulfide minerals. Examples are chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (CusFeS4) and chalcocite (Cu2S).
Copper oxides are typically beneficiated using solvent extraction (SX) methods.
The SX reagents that are being used with copper ores are primarily based on oxime chemistries (chemical compound belonging to the imines). Some of the oldest, yet still used reagents are LIX 84 (2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetophenone oxime) and LIX 860N (5-nonylsalicylaldoxime).
The current process generates "sludge” by-product consisting of a stabilized emulsion of organic and aqueous solutions from solvent extraction. The sludge needs to be managed and treated by the plant operators. Elements of the “sludge” are treated differently: the solids disposed of; the aqueous phase is treated further in a post treatment plant; and the organics are captured and returned to the solvent extraction circuit for reuse.
Proper handling of the solids / liquid separation and aqueous / solvent separations processes in the plant are critical.
Copper oxides are typically beneficiated using solvent extraction (SX) methods.
The SX reagents that are being used with copper ores are primarily based on oxime chemistries (chemical compound belonging to the imines). Some of the oldest, yet still used reagents are LIX 84 (2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetophenone oxime) and LIX 860N (5-nonylsalicylaldoxime).
The current process generates "sludge” by-product consisting of a stabilized emulsion of organic and aqueous solutions from solvent extraction. The sludge needs to be managed and treated by the plant operators. Elements of the “sludge” are treated differently: the solids disposed of; the aqueous phase is treated further in a post treatment plant; and the organics are captured and returned to the solvent extraction circuit for reuse.
Proper handling of the solids / liquid separation and aqueous / solvent separations processes in the plant are critical.
Detailed Solution Description
The successful solution could be:
A material or technology using existing oxime or a totally new chemistry, providing at least one of the following benefits:
- Inventing of new type of chemistries effective in the solvent extraction process
- A differential advantage over existing chemistries; for example by using new types of additives to reduce formation of “sludge” by-product or increasing the efficiency of the existing chemicals.
- An improvement in extraction cycle efficiency, by increasing the throughput or lowering the cycle time of the process, maybe minimizing the overall chemical demand.
- Any cost effective alternative lowering the operational costs.
- A solution less toxic to the environment than oxime reagents.
- A simplified process; for example providing the leaching and solvent extraction step to occur simultaneously.
- An easier process to manage, requiring less skilled operators.
| The SpecialChem Client is heavily involved in copper extraction processes and knows the industry players. The novel solution will complete Client’s portfolio in copper extraction processes and could lead to tens of thousands of tons per year of extractant chemical production. |
Possible Routes To Investigate
Possible approaches might include, but are not limited to new chemistries (solvent, catalysts, etc.) with or without accompanying processes.
Solution that are not of interest
The SpecialChem Client is not interested in material or processes that do not involve chemical reactions.
Anticipated Next Steps with Respondents
The SpecialChem Client is looking for a solution or concept that could be reviewed within 6 months. Further up-scaling could be done industrially in the next 2 years.
Other Comments / Important Considerations
The SpecialChem Client can support further lab testing (validation, scale-up, marathon tests, etc.) to a Proven Concept that demonstrates promising lab results.
Solutions must be free to operate, or have the possibility of patent protection (filing or purchasing).
Type of Outcome expected
- Ideas
- Concepts
- Proven concepts
- Ready-to-use solutions
- Commercial contract
- Partners
Company Demographics
- Industry you are in: Chemicals
- Annual Revenue: EUR billion
- Years in Business: >20 years
- Headquarters Area: EUROPE, active worldwide
Business considered
- Joint-venture
- Buying
- Licensing