PANDA84 (2-Hydroxy-5-Nonylacetophenone Oxime) Pure Ketoxime Extractant

Application Scope

PANDA84（LIX84 equivalent） is a high-purity pure ketoxime extractant specifically developed for acidic copper solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) processes. It is widely applied in industrial copper hydrometallurgy, especially for recovering copper from low-grade oxide copper ore heap leach solutions, secondary copper mineral leachates, and acidic copper-containing industrial solutions.

With excellent copper selectivity and a Cu/Fe selectivity ratio above 2000, PANDA84 efficiently transfers copper ions into the organic phase while minimizing iron and other impurity metal extraction. This performance supports stable copper enrichment, improved downstream purification, and consistent cathode copper quality in large-scale SX-EW production circuits.

Due to its high net copper transfer capacity and rapid extraction kinetics, PANDA84 is suitable for continuous industrial solvent extraction operations requiring reliable phase separation, stable organic recycling, and efficient copper recovery performance.

As a secondary industrial application, PANDA84 can be used for selective trace copper removal from nickel and cobalt acidic leach solutions. It acts as a purification reagent in nickel-cobalt hydrometallurgical processes to reduce copper impurities and improve final nickel and cobalt product quality.

PANDA84 does not have mature commercial application value for lithium, tungsten-molybdenum, tantalum-niobium, platinum group metals, rare scattered metals, or other key mineral processing scenarios. These applications are not adopted in formal industrial production.

Extraction Mechanism

PANDA84 works through the chelating coordination reaction between ketoxime functional groups and copper ions under acidic conditions. During solvent extraction, copper ions form stable copper-chelated complexes with the extractant and are selectively transferred from the aqueous leach solution into the organic phase.

The pure ketoxime molecular structure provides highly selective coordination sites for Cu²⁺, allowing efficient copper extraction while reducing interference from iron and other impurity metals. This selective extraction mechanism enables effective copper concentration and purification in acidic hydrometallurgical circuits.

The copper-extractant complex provides balanced chemical stability, allowing efficient stripping under conventional acidic stripping conditions. This supports repeated organic phase recycling and long-term operational stability in industrial SX-EW systems.

Physicochemical Properties

PANDA84 is a pure ketoxime-based liquid extractant with stable physical and chemical characteristics. Its optimized molecular structure provides high copper loading capability, rapid extraction response, and reliable phase separation performance during continuous solvent extraction operations.

The extractant is designed for acidic copper recovery systems where selective copper transfer, impurity rejection, and efficient organic regeneration are essential for maintaining stable hydrometallurgical production.

Specifications

Storage & Handling

Store PANDA84 in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse at room temperature. Keep the product away from direct sunlight, excessive heat sources, and strong oxidizing agents to maintain product quality during storage.

Containers should remain tightly sealed to prevent contamination and possible performance changes. During industrial transportation, dosing, and handling operations, appropriate chemical protective equipment should be used to minimize direct contact with skin and eyes.

With stable chemical properties, PANDA84 maintains consistent extraction and stripping performance during long-term storage and repeated solvent extraction cycles.

Advantages / Limitations

Advantages

PANDA84 pure ketoxime extractant provides excellent copper selectivity with extremely low iron co-extraction. Its high copper saturation capacity and strong net copper transfer capability support efficient SX-EW operation and stable copper recovery performance.

The product features fast extraction and stripping kinetics, rapid phase separation, reduced emulsification tendency, and reliable organic phase circulation performance. These characteristics help improve operational stability and optimize reagent consumption in industrial copper hydrometallurgical plants.

Limitations

PANDA84 is a copper-specific extractant optimized for acidic copper solvent extraction systems. It has limited application outside copper recovery and does not provide effective extraction performance for most rare metals, precious metals, or oxyanion-type minerals.

Summary

PANDA84 pure ketoxime extractant is a high-performance reagent dedicated to acidic copper SX-EW hydrometallurgical applications. With high copper loading capacity, ultra-high Cu/Fe selectivity, efficient stripping characteristics, and stable recycling performance, it provides a reliable solution for copper recovery from leaching-based production systems.

In addition, PANDA84 offers effective auxiliary copper purification capability in nickel-cobalt hydrometallurgical processes, supporting improved product purity and stable non-ferrous metal processing operations.

PANDA84 Copper Extractant – FAQ

Q1. What is the optimal extraction pH and free acid control range for PANDA84 in sulfuric acid copper leach solutions?

PANDA84 is a ketoxime copper extractant widely used in acidic copper solvent extraction circuits. Its extraction performance is strongly influenced by solution acidity, copper concentration, and the presence of competing ions. The optimal pH and free acid range depend on the specific copper leach chemistry, including ore mineralogy, iron concentration, and impurity levels. In SX-EW applications, laboratory equilibrium tests are typically conducted to determine suitable operating conditions for copper loading, phase separation, and stripping efficiency. Proper acidity control helps maximize copper extraction while maintaining selectivity and organic phase stability.

Q2. How does PANDA84 perform in selective copper extraction from solutions containing iron and aluminum impurities?

PANDA84 provides selective copper extraction characteristics in acidic leach solutions where iron and aluminum impurities may be present. The ketoxime functional group is designed to preferentially form extractable copper complexes while limiting the transfer of many unwanted impurities under controlled operating conditions. Actual copper selectivity depends on factors such as ferric iron concentration, solution acidity, impurity chemistry, and organic phase composition. For complex leach solutions, laboratory testing is recommended to evaluate copper recovery, impurity loading, and stripping behavior before industrial application.

Q3. Can PANDA84 be blended with aldehyde oxime extractants to improve copper extraction from high-magnesium solutions?

PANDA84 can be evaluated in combination with other oxime-based copper extractants when specific process challenges require improved extraction balance or selectivity. In high-magnesium copper leach solutions, mixed extractant systems may influence copper loading capacity, phase behavior, and impurity transfer characteristics. The effectiveness of blending depends on the magnesium concentration, acidity conditions, copper grade, and circuit design. Laboratory shake tests and extraction isotherm studies are commonly used to determine whether a PANDA84-based formulation provides advantages for a particular high-magnesium copper recovery process.

Q4. Does PANDA84 experience degradation or emulsification when treating high chloride copper leach solutions?

High chloride concentrations can affect solvent extraction systems by influencing phase behavior, corrosion conditions, and long-term organic stability. LIX84 performance in chloride-containing copper solutions depends on chloride level, oxidizing conditions, suspended solids, and the presence of organic contaminants. Proper solution clarification, phase control, and mixer-settler operation can help reduce emulsification risks. For copper projects involving high chloride leach solutions, long-term stability testing is recommended to evaluate extraction efficiency, organic losses, and phase separation performance under actual operating conditions.

Q5. How are copper loading capacity and stripping acid concentration related when using PANDA84 in SX-EW circuits?

In SX-EW copper recovery systems, the copper loading capacity of PANDA84 is closely related to extractant concentration, copper concentration in the aqueous phase, acidity, and organic-to-aqueous ratio. After copper extraction, sulfuric acid stripping transfers copper into the electrolyte for electrowinning. The required stripping acid concentration depends on copper loading level and desired electrolyte specifications. Process optimization through extraction and stripping isotherms helps determine suitable operating conditions, including organic composition, phase ratio, and stripping stages, to maintain efficient copper transfer and organic regeneration.

Q6. What sulfuric acid concentration and temperature conditions are recommended for stripping copper from PANDA84-loaded organic phase?

Copper stripping from PANDA84-loaded organic phase is typically performed using sulfuric acid electrolyte under controlled conditions. The required acid concentration and temperature depend on copper loading, target electrolyte composition, and plant operating requirements. Excessive stripping severity may increase reagent consumption or affect organic stability, while insufficient stripping may reduce solvent regeneration efficiency. Industrial operations generally optimize stripping conditions through laboratory testing and plant trials to achieve efficient copper recovery, stable organic recycling, and consistent electrowinning performance.

Q7. How can co-extraction of zinc, manganese, cobalt, and nickel be controlled when using PANDA84?

PANDA84 is primarily designed for selective copper extraction, but dissolved impurities such as zinc, manganese, cobalt, and nickel may influence solvent extraction performance depending on solution chemistry. Control of acidity, oxidation state, extractant concentration, and circuit configuration helps minimize unwanted impurity transfer. In complex copper leach solutions, impurity distribution tests are commonly performed to evaluate selectivity and determine appropriate operating conditions. Proper control of extraction stages and scrubbing steps can further improve copper purity and reduce contamination of the loaded organic phase.

Q8. Is PANDA84 thermally stable for continuous copper solvent extraction operation above 45°C?

The thermal stability of LIX84 depends on operating temperature, exposure time, solution chemistry, and the presence of oxidizing impurities. Copper SX-EW circuits are normally designed within temperature ranges that maintain extractant performance and minimize organic degradation. When higher operating temperatures are required, stability evaluation should include copper extraction efficiency, phase separation behavior, and chemical analysis of the organic phase after extended operation. Proper temperature monitoring and process control are important for maintaining long-term solvent extraction performance.

Q9. Can LIX84 be used for copper recovery from low-concentration copper solutions below 3 g/L?

PANDA84 can be considered for copper recovery from relatively low-concentration leach solutions, but extraction efficiency depends on copper concentration, acidity, extractant concentration, and process configuration. Lower copper concentrations may require optimization of organic-to-aqueous ratio, extraction stages, and operating conditions to achieve economically suitable recovery performance. Laboratory testing using representative feed solutions is recommended to evaluate copper distribution coefficients, loading capacity, and overall process feasibility before implementing PANDA84 in low-grade copper recovery applications.

Q10. What are the key process parameters for achieving high-purity copper production with PANDA84 in SX-EW plants?

Achieving high-purity copper cathode production with PANDA84 requires coordinated control of extraction, scrubbing, and stripping parameters. Important factors include feed solution chemistry, copper concentration, free acid level, impurity content, extractant concentration, organic-to-aqueous ratio, phase separation efficiency, and electrolyte quality. Stable operation of the SX-EW circuit depends on maintaining copper selectivity while minimizing impurity transfer. Laboratory optimization, pilot testing, and continuous process monitoring are commonly used to establish suitable operating conditions for producing high-quality copper cathode products.