Extraction Equilibrium of Mn2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ from Chloride Solutions by Di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric Acid Dissolved in Kerosene

The presence of calcium and magnesium affects the purity of the final product MnCl2 in hydrometallurgical treatment processes. The solvent extraction method can be used to separate Ca2+ and Mg2+ from Mn2+ solutions containing impurity ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+. This article aims to investigate the single-stage extraction equilibrium of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ in chloride medium using di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid in kerosene (O:A = 1:1). The results show that the pH0.5 values are 1.11, 1.56, and 2.18 for Ca2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+, respectively. The mechanism of extraction and stoichiometries of metal-containing extracted species were illustrated based on a slope analysis. The composition of the extracted species in the organic phase is proposed to be MnR2·R2H2, CaR2·R2H2, and MgR2·(R2H2)2, respectively.