PANDA973NS Extractant | High Selectivity Copper Solvent Extractant
Application Scope
PANDA973NS Extractant is a high-performance copper solvent extractant developed for hydrometallurgical copper extraction processes. Benchmarking the performance requirements of mainstream LIX973NS extractant, it is designed for copper solvent extraction, purification, and recovery operations in industrial mining applications.
The extractant is suitable for copper recovery from low-grade copper ore leachates, copper solution purification, non-ferrous metal processing wastewater treatment, and industrial copper enrichment processes. It supports continuous solvent extraction circuits where stable copper transfer, impurity control, and operational efficiency are required.
Mechanism
PANDA973NS Extractant functions through selective copper ion extraction and stripping reactions within hydrometallurgical solvent extraction circuits. Its high Cu/Fe extraction selectivity helps reduce iron impurity transfer during copper extraction, supporting improved solution purification performance.
The product demonstrates rapid extraction and stripping kinetics, achieving 98% extraction efficiency and 98% stripping efficiency within 30 seconds under tested conditions. This fast reaction performance supports continuous operation of industrial extraction equipment and helps improve process stability.
Physicochemical Properties
PANDA973NS Extractant provides balanced physical and chemical characteristics for industrial copper solvent extraction systems. The tested specific gravity is 0.925 g·cm⁻³, providing suitable fluidity for industrial transportation, mixing, and dosing operations.
The product demonstrates strong copper loading capacity with a maximum copper loading value of 5.67 g/L and a net copper transfer capacity of 2.92 g/L. Its Cu/Fe extraction selectivity reaches 2624, supporting effective copper separation from iron-containing solutions.
Specifications
| Technical Indicator | Test Value |
|---|---|
| Specific Gravity (g·cm⁻³) | 0.925 |
| Copper Complex Solubility (g/L) | >30 |
| Maximum Copper Loading (g/L) | 5.67 |
| Extraction Isotherm Point (g/L) | 5.09 |
| 30s Extraction Kinetics Efficiency | 98% |
| Cu/Fe Extraction Selectivity | 2624 |
| Extraction Phase Separation Time | 40s |
| Stripping Isotherm Point (g/L) | 2.17 |
| Net Copper Transfer Capacity (g/L) | 2.92 |
| 30s Stripping Kinetics Efficiency | 98% |
| Stripping Phase Separation Time | 30s |
| Flash Point | 72.4℃ |
Storage & Handling
PANDA973NS Extractant should be stored and handled according to industrial chemical management practices. The product features a flash point of 72.4℃, supporting safe storage and transportation requirements for mining and metallurgical operations.
During industrial use, proper handling procedures, dosing control, and compatibility evaluation with existing solvent extraction circuits are recommended to maintain stable extraction performance and operational reliability.
Advantages / Limitations
Advantages
PANDA973NS Extractant provides high copper selectivity, rapid extraction and stripping kinetics, efficient phase separation, and stable copper transfer capacity. These characteristics help reduce impurity management challenges, minimize phase separation issues, and support continuous copper recovery operations.
The product offers an alternative copper solvent extractant option for mining companies seeking stable hydrometallurgical performance with cost-effective supply advantages while maintaining industrial extraction requirements.
Limitations
Performance results may vary depending on ore characteristics, leaching conditions, circuit design, operating parameters, and process control methods. Industrial application should be evaluated according to specific hydrometallurgical process requirements.
Summary
PANDA973NS Extractant is a copper solvent extraction chemical designed for modern hydrometallurgical operations. With high Cu/Fe selectivity, fast extraction and stripping performance, and stable phase separation characteristics, it supports copper recovery, purification, and enrichment applications in mining and metallurgical industries.
PANDA973NS Copper Extractant – FAQ
Q1. What types of copper leach solutions are suitable for PANDA973NS copper extractant?
PANDA973NS is designed for copper solvent extraction applications involving acidic copper leach solutions, including heap leaching, agitation leaching, and acid sulfate leaching systems. It can be applied in hydrometallurgical operations where copper ions are selectively transferred from the aqueous leach solution into the organic phase and subsequently recovered through stripping. Before industrial implementation, laboratory shake-out tests and extraction isotherm studies are recommended to evaluate performance under specific ore mineralogy, impurity conditions, and process parameters.
Q2. How does PANDA973NS perform in low-grade copper ore heap leaching operations?
PANDA973NS can be considered for copper recovery from low-grade ore heap leaching solutions where copper concentration is relatively low and selective metal recovery is required. Its performance depends on factors such as copper concentration, solution acidity, impurity levels, organic phase composition, and operating temperature. In heap leaching projects, metallurgical testing is typically conducted to determine extraction efficiency, phase separation behavior, and the optimum organic-to-aqueous ratio before full-scale solvent extraction plant design.
Q3. What is the selectivity of PANDA973NS toward copper compared with iron impurities?
PANDA973NS provides selective copper extraction characteristics in acidic sulfate leach systems and is designed to minimize the transfer of unwanted impurities such as iron under appropriate operating conditions. However, the actual selectivity depends on solution chemistry, including ferric ion concentration, pH, oxidation conditions, and competing metal ions. Process engineers normally optimize pH control, aqueous purification, and extraction stages to maintain copper selectivity and reduce impurity loading in the organic phase.
Q4. What is the recommended operating pH range for PANDA973NS in copper solvent extraction?
The optimum operating pH for PANDA973NS depends on the copper leach solution composition and the required extraction performance. In acidic sulfate systems, pH control is an important factor affecting copper transfer, impurity extraction, and phase behavior. Excessively low or high pH conditions may influence extraction equilibrium and stripping efficiency. Laboratory testing and pilot trials are recommended to determine the suitable pH range for each copper project rather than applying a fixed value for all applications.
Q5. How does PANDA973NS compare with other oxime-based copper extractants such as LIX84-I and LIX860?
PANDA973NS, LIX84-I, and LIX860 are all oxime-based copper extractants, but they may differ in extraction kinetics, copper loading capacity, selectivity, and phase separation characteristics. The selection of an extractant depends on the specific process requirements, including copper concentration, impurity profile, leaching method, and plant operating conditions. Metallurgical comparison tests are commonly performed to identify the most suitable extractant system for a particular copper hydrometallurgical operation.
Q6. What diluent and concentration ratio are recommended when preparing PANDA973NS organic phase?
PANDA973NS is normally blended with hydrocarbon diluents such as kerosene to prepare the organic phase used in copper solvent extraction circuits. The appropriate extractant concentration depends on copper concentration, extraction capacity requirements, phase ratio, and the number of extraction stages. A common engineering approach is to optimize the organic formulation through laboratory tests, including loading capacity evaluation, stripping tests, and phase separation analysis, before determining the final operating concentration.
Q7. Can PANDA973NS be used for copper recovery from solutions containing high magnesium or calcium levels?
PANDA973NS may be evaluated for copper extraction from leach solutions containing alkaline earth impurities such as magnesium and calcium. The impact of these ions depends on their concentration, sulfate balance, acidity, and overall solution chemistry. In challenging groundwater or high-salt environments, laboratory testing is important to confirm copper selectivity, organic phase stability, and resistance to potential operating issues such as reduced extraction efficiency or phase separation difficulties.
Q8. How can the stripping efficiency of PANDA973NS be optimized in copper SX-EW operations?
In copper solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) operations, stripping efficiency of PANDA973NS is influenced by sulfuric acid concentration, organic loading level, temperature, and phase ratio. Optimization generally involves adjusting stripping conditions to achieve effective copper transfer back into the electrolyte while maintaining organic phase stability. Detailed stripping isotherm tests and continuous simulation studies can help determine suitable conditions for maximizing copper recovery and supporting stable electrowinning operation.
Q9. Can PANDA973NS be applied for copper recovery from electronic waste acid leach solutions?
PANDA973NS can be evaluated for copper recovery from acidic leach solutions generated during hydrometallurgical treatment of electronic waste materials. Such solutions often contain multiple metal ions, including nickel, zinc, iron, and other impurities, which may affect extraction selectivity. Before application, laboratory solvent extraction tests are recommended to assess copper selectivity, impurity behavior, phase separation characteristics, and the overall feasibility of integrating PANDA973NS into the recycling process.
Q10. What factors should be considered when using PANDA973NS in multi-stage counter-current copper extraction circuits?
Multi-stage counter-current solvent extraction design using PANDA973NS requires evaluation of extraction kinetics, copper concentration profile, organic loading capacity, stripping performance, phase ratios, and impurity management. The required number of extraction and stripping stages depends on the copper concentration in the feed solution and the target recovery rate. Engineering design is typically supported by laboratory equilibrium data, McCabe-Thiele analysis, and pilot-scale validation to achieve stable industrial operation.