Solid waste spent catalyst recover from North Atlantic Refinery’s petrochemical plant in Come by Chance, NL

• Main Authors: Nejad, Hesam Hassan, Georghiou, Paris, Zadeh, Shirin Shafiei
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2015
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/11578/; https://research.library.mun.ca/11578/1/Hassan_Nejad_Waste_13_14_Final.pdf

A hydrometallurgical process has been developed for metal recovery from spent HPCs. After analysing our catalyst, preliminary experiments showed that aqua regia is the most effective leaching agent to dissolve metals from our spent catalyst samples. Two amine-based extractants (Alamine308 & Alamine336), and one quaternary ammonium salt (Aliquat336) were diluted in toluene and were tested for cobalt, nickel, and molybdenum extraction from leached catalysts in aqua regia. A central composite design (CCD) was employed for our experimental design, and the best extractant was selected based on the ICP analysis on the efficiency, concentration requirement (cost-effectiveness), and required contact time for optimum metal removal. The effects of significant parameters on the extraction processes have been measured, and statistical models were developed using Design Expert software. ANOVA results were also studied to measure the accuracy and significance of the fitted models. Optimization of each solvent extraction process was completed and optimum points were determined for maximum metal removal from spent HPCs.