Solvent extraction of copper from sulfate-chloride solutions using mixed and modified hydroxyoxime extractants

•Chloride in the aqueous phase affect Cu extraction with LIX 984N and Acorga M5910.•Temperature favors Cu extraction and hinders stripping with both extractants.•Acorga M5910 outperforms LIX 984 in Cu extraction from 110 g/l chloride solutions. The solvent extraction of copper from a sulfate-chloride solution containing seawater and/or sodium chloride was studied using the commercial extractants LIX 984N and Acorga M5910. The effect of chloride on the copper extraction equilibria, the copper-iron selectivity, and the extraction of chloride by the organic phases was evaluated. The results indicated that chloride ions in the aqueous solution affect negatively the extraction equilibria for both extractants and this effect becomes very significant for high chloride concentrations. For both extractants, an increase in the temperature from 25 to 35 °C improves slightly the copper extraction but hinders the stripping of the organic. Based on McCabe-Thiele diagrams for extraction and stripping, it was concluded that Acorga M5910 outperforms the LIX 984N when using solutions containing 110 g/l of chloride ions.