PANDA984N-C Concentrated Ketoxime Extractant for Copper Solvent Extraction
Brief Introduction
PANDA984N-C(LIX984N-C Equivalent) is a concentrated compound ketoxime extractant and a high-performance equivalent to LIX984N-C for copper solvent extraction in hydrometallurgy. Formulated with optimized composite components, it provides balanced extraction and stripping performance compared with conventional single ketoxime and aldoxime extractants.
During long-term cyclic industrial operation, PANDA984N-C maintains stable chemical properties with a low decomposition rate, supporting consistent processing efficiency for copper recovery projects of different scales.
Application Scope
PANDA984N-C(LIX984N-C Equivalent) is designed for industrial copper solvent extraction (SX) processes. It is applicable to copper recovery from pregnant leach solution (PLS) generated by heap leaching, tank leaching, and agitation leaching of copper oxide and low-grade sulfide ores.
The extractant is suited for standard SX-EW production lines and conventional on-site operating conditions in copper hydrometallurgical projects. It is intended for mining enterprises, metallurgical processing plants, and professional mineral chemical distributors.
Mechanism
PANDA984N-C uses a selective chelation reaction to separate copper ions from aqueous leachate. During the extraction stage, it binds copper ions to form stable organic copper complexes, achieving a copper extraction rate of at least 95% within 60 seconds under the specified test conditions.
With Cu/Fe selectivity above 2000, the extractant effectively inhibits the co-extraction of iron impurities. During stripping, loaded copper can be rapidly and fully desorbed into acidic electrolyte. The regenerated organic phase can then be recycled for continuous cyclic operation.
Physicochemical Properties
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Specific gravity (g/cm³) | ≤ 0.97 |
| Copper complex solubility (g/L) | ＞30 (25 °C) |
| Flash point (°C) | ≥ 71 |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum copper loading (g/L) | ≥ 5.1 |
| Extraction isotherm point (g/L) | ≥ 4.4 |
| Extraction kinetics (60 s) | ≥ 95% |
| Extraction Cu/Fe selectivity | ≥ 2000 |
| Extraction phase separation time (s) | ≤ 70 |
| Stripping isotherm point (g/L) | ≤ 1.8 |
| Net copper transfer (g/L) | ≥ 2.7 |
| Stripping kinetics (30 s) | ≥ 95% |
| Stripping phase separation time (s) | ≤ 80 |
Storage & Handling
Store PANDA984N-C in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated indoor environment with containers tightly sealed. Keep the product away from high-temperature heat sources, direct sunlight, and strong oxidizing substances to help prevent performance degradation.
Operators should follow standard industrial chemical handling procedures. Professional protective equipment is required during handling and transportation to support safe operation.
Advantages / Limitations
Advantages
Combines the extraction capacity of ketoxime with strong stripping performance.
Provides fast extraction and stripping phase separation.
Supports high copper transfer efficiency in solvent extraction circuits.
Provides Cu/Fe selectivity of ≥ 2000 to reduce iron impurity interference.
Maintains stable molecular performance with a low decomposition rate during long-term cyclic operation.
Supports lower reagent consumption and operational costs for long-term production.
Limitations
Actual working performance can be affected by PLS concentration, pH value, and temperature differences at the operating site.
Small-scale field testing is recommended before large-scale application.
The product is optimized specifically for copper extraction and is not suitable for other metal recovery processes.
Summary
PANDA984N-C is a concentrated compound ketoxime extractant for copper SX processes, combining copper extraction performance, stripping performance, high Cu/Fe selectivity, rapid phase separation, and stable cyclic operation. Its application is focused on copper recovery from leach solutions used in conventional SX-EW hydrometallurgical production.
PANDA984N-C Ketoxime Extractant – FAQ
Q1. What pH range is PANDA984N-C suitable for in copper leach solution (PLS) solvent extraction?
PANDA984N-C is designed for copper solvent extraction from acidic PLS, with operating pH selected according to the copper concentration, acid concentration, impurity profile, and required Cu/Fe selectivity. In practical SX circuits, the extraction equilibrium is normally controlled within an acidic pH window rather than at a single fixed value. The optimum operating point should be established through laboratory extraction isotherms and McCabe-Thiele analysis using representative PLS. Particular attention should be given to raffinate acidity and copper transfer between extraction stages. For new applications, PANDA984N-C should therefore be evaluated against the actual PLS chemistry, especially when iron, chloride, manganese, or other impurities are present. This approach helps determine the appropriate equilibrium pH and organic concentration for stable plant operation.
Q2. How does PANDA984N-C perform in high-acid leach solutions with pH below 1.5?
At very low pH, copper extraction by ketoxime-based extractants generally decreases because the extraction equilibrium is influenced by hydrogen-ion concentration. With PANDA984N-C, the practical effect depends on copper concentration, free acidity, organic-phase concentration, temperature, and the composition of the PLS. A high-acid solution may therefore require adjustment of the extraction pH or additional extraction capacity to maintain the target copper transfer. Rather than applying a fixed recovery figure, users should conduct a series of equilibrium tests at the actual PLS acidity and temperature. These tests can identify the relationship between pH and copper extraction and confirm whether the available extraction stages can achieve the required copper recovery without adversely affecting raffinate acidity or downstream electrowinning requirements.
Q3. Does PANDA984N-C maintain Cu/Fe selectivity in PLS with high iron concentrations?
PANDA984N-C is intended to provide selective copper extraction from acidic leach solutions, while iron behavior depends strongly on the oxidation state and overall PLS chemistry. Ferric iron can interact differently from ferrous iron, and high iron concentrations may influence phase behavior, entrainment, and impurity transfer even when copper extraction remains effective. For high-iron PLS, the Cu/Fe separation should therefore be verified using representative process liquor rather than relying only on nominal reagent specifications. Laboratory testing should measure copper extraction, iron co-extraction, phase disengagement, and raffinate quality across the expected operating pH range. Where iron loading or oxidation conditions fluctuate significantly, periodic PLS monitoring and appropriate process control are recommended to maintain stable selectivity and minimize impurity circulation within the SX circuit.
Q4. What organic-to-aqueous (O:A) ratio is recommended when using PANDA984N-C?
The appropriate organic-to-aqueous (O:A) ratio for PANDA984N-C is determined by the copper concentration in the PLS, target extraction percentage, extractant concentration, phase equilibrium, and available mixer-settler stages. A single ratio should not be applied universally to different ores or leach circuits. In laboratory work, several O:A ratios should be tested to establish copper distribution coefficients and generate an extraction isotherm. The selected ratio can then be evaluated together with the planned organic concentration and stage configuration through McCabe-Thiele analysis. In continuous operation, the O:A ratio should also consider phase disengagement, entrainment, organic inventory, and the required copper transfer to the electrolyte. This method provides a more reliable basis for scaling PANDA984N-C from laboratory testing to industrial SX operation.
Q5. What is the typical PANDA984N-C concentration when diluted with hydrocarbon diluent such as Shellsol D70?
PANDA984N-C is normally diluted with an appropriate hydrocarbon diluent to obtain the extractant concentration required for the target copper loading and phase properties. A commonly evaluated starting point for copper SX development is around 30% v/v extractant in diluent, but the optimum concentration should be established from the actual PLS rather than treated as a universal specification. Increasing extractant concentration can increase copper loading capacity, while also affecting viscosity, phase disengagement, reagent consumption, and stripping behavior. For a new circuit, laboratory tests should compare several concentrations using the same PLS and operating conditions. The final organic formulation should be selected based on extraction isotherms, stripping performance, phase separation, entrainment, and the required copper transfer per stage.
Q6. Can PANDA984N-C be used in both heap leaching and agitation leaching copper processes?
Yes. PANDA984N-C can be evaluated for copper PLS generated from both heap leaching and agitation leaching, but the SX operating conditions may differ because the resulting liquors can have substantially different copper grades, acidity, suspended solids, dissolved organic matter, and impurity profiles. Heap-leach PLS may show greater variability and can contain suspended solids or colloidal material that affects phase separation and crud formation. Agitation-leach PLS may provide more consistent chemistry but can also carry process-specific impurities depending on the ore and downstream solid-liquid separation. In both cases, application development should begin with representative PLS testing. Extraction and stripping kinetics, phase disengagement, impurity transfer, and organic stability should be assessed before defining the commercial organic formulation and stage configuration.
Q7. How does PANDA984N-C behave toward arsenic, antimony, and other impurities in copper PLS?
The impurity behavior of PANDA984N-C depends on the chemical form and concentration of each impurity rather than simply its total concentration in the PLS. Arsenic and antimony species generally require specific evaluation because their distribution between aqueous and organic phases can vary with oxidation state, acidity, and complexation. For copper SX applications, the objective is normally to maximize copper transfer while minimizing impurity circulation to the loaded organic and electrolyte. Representative PLS should therefore be tested for Cu, Fe, As, Sb, and other relevant elements under the proposed extraction and stripping conditions. Monitoring both loaded organic and stripped electrolyte provides a more complete assessment. If impurity transfer is significant, pH, organic concentration, phase ratio, washing, or circuit configuration may need to be adjusted based on the test results.
Q8. How should PANDA984N-C be evaluated in laboratory tests for a specific copper ore PLS?
A laboratory evaluation should use representative PLS collected from the intended leaching process, including the expected copper concentration, free acidity, iron content, suspended solids, and other relevant impurities. Initial tests should compare PANDA984N-C at several extractant concentrations and O:A ratios under controlled temperature and mixing conditions. Equilibrium extraction tests can then determine copper distribution and generate an extraction isotherm, while stripping tests evaluate copper transfer to the electrolyte and organic regeneration. Kinetic tests should also confirm adequate contact and phase disengagement times. For scale-up, the resulting equilibrium data can be used for McCabe-Thiele analysis to estimate stage requirements. Repeated contact tests are recommended to assess organic stability and identify potential crud, entrainment, or degradation issues before industrial implementation.
Q9. What mixing time is recommended for PANDA984N-C in a copper SX mixer-settler?
The required mixing time for PANDA984N-C depends on the mixer geometry, impeller design, phase ratio, temperature, viscosity, PLS chemistry, and desired mass-transfer rate. It should therefore be established through kinetic testing rather than specified as a universal number of minutes. In laboratory development, samples can be taken at progressively longer contact times to determine when copper extraction approaches equilibrium. The selected industrial residence time should provide sufficient mass transfer while avoiding excessive dispersion that can increase entrainment and complicate phase separation. Scale-up should also consider power input per unit volume and the actual mixer hydrodynamics. For a commercial circuit, the optimum condition is the shortest practical mixing time that provides the required copper transfer while maintaining stable dispersion and acceptable phase disengagement.
Q10. What sulfuric acid concentration is required for stripping copper from PANDA984N-C loaded organic?
The stripping conditions for PANDA984N-C should be selected according to the loaded-organic copper concentration, electrolyte composition, phase ratio, temperature, and required copper concentration in the strip liquor. Sulfuric acid concentration should not be defined as one fixed minimum value for every SX circuit, because the stripping equilibrium changes with the loading history of the organic and the composition of the electrolyte. Laboratory stripping tests should evaluate several acid concentrations and O:A ratios using representative loaded organic. The objective is to achieve efficient copper transfer while maintaining suitable phase separation and producing an electrolyte compatible with downstream electrowinning. The selected condition can then be incorporated into the overall extraction-stripping mass balance. Regular monitoring of copper loading and stripping efficiency is recommended to identify changes in organic performance during continuous operation.