Abstract

This study investigated the effect of diluents on the extraction of V(V) from hydrochloric acid solution using bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate as extractant. It was determined by phosphor-tungsten method of determination. The percentage extractions were found optimum at a concentration of 25% (v/v) bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate in n-heptane (E%=51.9) while it was found at optimum concentration of 10 % (v/v) bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate for both xylene (E%=36.9) and kerosene (E%=17.0). The optimum extraction temperature of V(V) occurred through an exothermic process at 301 K for all the diluents. Kerosene and xylene require the least quantity of D2EHPA (10 % v/v) compared with 25 % v/v for n-heptane and may be more economical for use. On batch extraction stages, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate gave a percentage extraction by mass of V(V) (52.0%) in n-heptane, V(V) (58.6%) in xylene and V(V) (72.6%) in kerosene showing kerosene as best for continuous extraction. From the slope analysis, analytical and spectra data, the extracted complexes have been formulated as VO₂R (R= union of D2EHPA).

Keywords: Diluents; Extractants; Vanadium; Metals impurities; Chloride media