Affiliation:
1. Nuclear Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
Abstract
Solvent extraction or formally “liquid–liquid extraction” is an application where knowledge of solution speciation and coordination has a profound effect. The general idea is that different elements can be separated by distributing between two immiscible phases such as, e.g., water and kerosene. Several extraction mechanisms are discussed in some detail and expressions for the distribution ratios are derived. In addition, two typical uses for solvent extraction are outlined: the determination of stability constants of aqueous (and organic) complexes and separation process creation. Some basic thermodynamic considerations of a solvent extraction process are also derived and discussed.
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry