Solvent Extraction of Germanium from Fe-Cu-Co-Ge Alloy: The Role of Isobutyl Methyl Ketone in a Ferric Iron-Containing Medium

  • Kazadi Oscar Kayembe Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Wanselani Brice Masengo Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Polytechnic, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Kaseya Bertin Kitwa Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Congolese Control Office, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Kitule Simon Muhune Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Kabimbi Martin Mutala General Commissariat for Atomic Energy, Department of Radioprotection, Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Kie Kie Bienvenu Muntele Société de traitement de Terril de Lubumbashi (STL), Department of Production, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ilunga Bienvenue Banza Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Kabumana Dieudonné Tshibanda Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Kitambala Marsi Mbayo Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Mutombo Emery Kalonda Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Simbi Jean-Baptiste Lumbu Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Private Bag 1285, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Keywords: solvent extraction, alloy, ferric ion, hydrometallurgy, polymetallic leachate

Abstract

This study focuses on the selective extraction of germanium from a leachate of a Fe-Cu-Co-Ge alloy, using isobutyl methyl ketone (MIBK) as a solvent in an environment rich in ferric iron. Tests were conducted by varying several operational parameters, including the organic-to-aqueous phase ratio and the pH of the solution. The results showed a germanium extraction yield of 55.48% at a pH of 1.5. By optimizing the phase ratio, an additional yield of 15.5% was achieved at a ratio of 5/1. As the germanium extraction yield increased, that of ferric iron decreased by 6.16%, a reduction that did not have a significant impact, given that the concentration of ferric iron was 100 times higher than that of germanium. The removal of iron in the aqueous phase improved the germanium extraction yield by approximately 9%. Through multiple extraction steps, the germanium extraction yield reached 99.2%, although this led to a decrease in the extractant's selectivity towards other metals. These results highlight the effectiveness of solvent extraction for germanium recovery, while also underscoring the complex interactions between metals during the extraction process.

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Published
2025-12-08
How to Cite
Kayembe, K. O., Masengo, W. B., Kitwa, K. B., Muhune, K. S., Mutala, K. M., Muntele, K. K. B., Banza, I. B., Tshibanda, K. D., Mbayo, K. M., Kalonda, M. E., & Lumbu, S. J.-B. (2025). Solvent Extraction of Germanium from Fe-Cu-Co-Ge Alloy: The Role of Isobutyl Methyl Ketone in a Ferric Iron-Containing Medium. European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 5(5), 122-130. Retrieved from https://ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/721
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 5 (2025)
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2025 Kayembe Kazadi Oscar, Masengo Wanselani Brice, Kitwa Kaseya Bertin, Muhune Kitule Simon, Mutala Kabimbi Martin, Muntele Kie Kie Bienvenu, Banza Ilunga Bienvenue, Tshibanda Kabumana Dieudonné, Mbayo Kitambala Marsi, Kalonda Mutombo Emery, Lumbu Simbi Jean-Baptiste

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