Cobalt is a transition metal with an atomic number of 27.
Applications
Cobalt is a magnetic, silver-blue metal often used to make magnets and give a deep blue color to glass, ceramics, and paint. It is a byproduct of nuclear reactor operations and is formed when metal structures, such as steel rods, are exposed to neutron radiation. Cobalt is used for industrial applications such as leveling devices and thickness gauges.
Challenges
Those working in nuclear power plants can be exposed to radionuclides. One of these radionuclides, Cobalt-58, is highly toxic to human health and can cause skin burns, radiation sickness, and death. In another application, cobalt is extracted from ore and recovered as metal via electrowinning. Nickel and other impurities must be removed via ion exchange from the cobalt electrolyte liquor.
Solutions
Resin technology is used for three relevant applications.
Removal from Nuclear Reactor Water
Cobalt is a corrosion byproduct of nuclear reactor operations. In this environment, cobalt may exist as a colloidal species.
Purolite™ CriticalResin™ NRW5010 and
Purolite CriticalResin
NRW5070 colloid scavenging resins have a demonstrated removal capability for these colloids along with high capacity, thermal stability and ability to withstand oxidative environments, allowing for improved operation.
For more information, visit
New Cobalt Sequestration Resin Technology for EWCU.
Removal of Nickel from Cobalt Electrolyte Baths
Cobalt can be extracted from its natural ores using electrowinning or electroextraction. Electrowinning, or electroextraction, passes a current through a liquid leach solution to extract metal. The cobalt solution is very concentrated, and electrowinning is used to electroplate the high-purity cobalt onto bars.
Purolite Puromet™ MTS9600 (pH 3-5) or
Purolite Puromet MTS9850 (pH 5-6) are both nickel-selective and can remove the nickel from the solution.
For more information, visit
Hydrometallurgy.
Removal from Nickel Sulfate Liquors
Nickel sulfate is used in electroplating and as a chemical intermediate to produce other nickel compounds. It’s helpful in biochemistry and molecular biology. Removal of cobalt before the crystallization of the nickel sulfate is required to make a final product of high purity. For this application,
Purolite Puromet MTX8010 is recommended. It has a good affinity for removing cobalt with minimal loss of nickel.
For more information, visit
Hydrometallurgy.
