Column sorption of divalent metals from sulfate solutions by extractant-impregnated macroporous resins

Column sorption of zinc and copper ions from single aqueous sulfate solutions using extractant-impregnated macroporous resins was experimentally studied at 298 K. The widely used di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid was selected as the extractant. The breakthrough curves were measured as a function of feed flow rate, feed pH and metal concentration in the feed solution, extractant concentration in the resin phase, and the type of resin. It was shown that feed pH and the type of resin played a rather important role in determining the shape of breakthrough curve. For a given type of resin bed, the saturated capacity was greater under the conditions of higher feed pH, higher concentrations of metal and extractant, and lower feed flow rate.