Extraction of In3+ and Fe3+ from sulfate solutions by using a 3D-printed “Y”-shaped microreactor

Abstract

In traditional large-scale industrial applications of solvent extraction, there are some limitations such as low extraction efficiency, emulsification, co-extraction, and potential safety hazards. Recently, the application of microfluidic technology in solvent extraction has been dedicated to avoid the above problems effectively. However, manufacturing microchannels becomes a key problem before the application of such a new technology. In this article, the design and fabrication of a “Y”-shaped microreactor by using a three-dimensional (3D) printer, and its feasibility for extraction and separation, is illustrated. The extraction performance of a “Y”-shaped microreactor was investigated by carrying out the extraction of In3+ and Fe3+ from a sulfate solution under different experimental conditions. When the residence time was 210 s, the volume fraction of extractant (D2EHPA) was 30%, and the initial pH value of the aqueous solution was 0.7, the extraction rate of In3+ and the separation coefficient βIn/Fe were 98.07% and 1593, respectively. Remarkably, the handling capacity of the 3D-printed “Y” microreactor presented in this work with a channel length of 36 mm was superior, whereas the extraction rate of In3+ was very close to that of the previously reported microchip with a channel length of 120 mm.

Keywords

• 3d printing
• indium
• microreactor
• separation
• solvent extraction