COPPER PRECIPITATION METHOD BY IRON MODIFICATION AND COPPER PRECIPITATION AND PREPARATION APPARATUS USED THEREFOR

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a copper extraction method via iron modification and a copper extraction apparatus to perform the method. The method involves adding iron to an acidic solution in an reactor and oxidizing the iron. The method includes adding a copper-containing acidic solution and adding hydrogen as a reaction promoter into the reactor. Thus, the method may artificially modify the iron element to a copper element. Thus, the iron is used to extract a large amount of copper. This method may be as economical as copper mining.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a copper extraction method including modifying iron to copper. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a copper extraction method via an iron modification occurring by introducing hydrogen into a mixture formed by mixing iron with an acidic solution containing copper, and to a copper extraction apparatus for performing the method.

BACKGROUND ART

Iron is used as a main source material in various industries. Iron is also available at a reasonable price. Copper is expensive compared to iron. Thus, an approach in which copper is obtained via iron modification may double an economic value. Hereinafter, the prior art will be described.

Korean Patent No. 10-0962214 discloses a copper powder producing method. This method includes producing a copper nitrate solution by adding a concentrated nitric acid to a copper ingot and dissolving the nitric acid; replacing the nitric acid copper solution with cupric chloride by adding concentrated hydrochloric acid to the nitric acid copper solution via evaporation and concentration; controlling Ph of the solution by adding sodium hydroxide solution to the cupric chloride; adding dispersing agent; extracting copper powders by attaching an iron plate to an agitator; and filtering, washing and drying the copper powder. In this prior art, there is a disadvantage in that it is necessary to attach the iron plate to the agitator to produce copper powders.

The present disclosure provides a copper extraction method via an iron modification using a hollow spherically-structured reactor as shown in FIG. 2 and a copper extraction producing apparatus for performing the method.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a mixture of the selected acidic solution and iron is charged into a hollow spherically-structured reactor into which the iron powder is charged, and then oxygen is introduced into the reactor. Thus, the iron is modified into an iron oxide. Then, copper and acidic copper are introduced into the hollow spherically structured reactor containing the iron oxide. Hydrogen and hydrogen water are input to the reactor. Then, an agitator is rotated to extract copper powders.

For example, when iron powders is injected into the hollow spherically-structured reactor, copper powders of 0.3 mm are produced. When an iron piece is fed into the reactor, a copper piece and copper powders are extracted.

Thus, according to the present disclosure, the copper powder can be easily produced using only iron powders, without the hassle of placing the iron piece on the agitator as in the prior art.

Korean patent No. 10-1539458 disclose an apparatus for producing alloy copper having a simple structure. The apparatus comprises: a first reaction tank dissolving copper; a first aqua regia supply path supplying aqua regia to the first reaction tank; a second reaction tank dissolving iron; a second aqua regia supply path supplying aqua regia to the second reaction tank; a mixing reaction tank receiving a mixing solution of copper chloride and the mixing solution of iron chloride; a first mixing solution supply path enabling the mixing solution of the first reaction tank to flow to the mixing reaction tank; a second mixing solution supply path enabling the mixing solution of the second reaction tank to flow to the mixing reaction tank; a first gas supply path enabling a chlorine gas generated in the first reaction tank to flow to the mixing reaction tank; a second gas supply path enabling the chlorine gas generated in the second reaction tank to flow to the mixing reaction tank; an additive supply path supplying an additive to the mixing reaction tank; a third aqua regia supply path supplying aqua regia to the mixing reaction tank; an electrolytic extraction device receiving a mixture received in the mixing reaction tank and precipitating metal; and a mixture supply path enabling the mixture received in the mixing reaction tank to flow to the electrolytic extraction device. This configuration is very complex.

According to the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2, the hollow spherically-structured reactor is a copper extraction producing apparatus, which is composed of a single hollow spherically-structured reactor. Until a step of obtaining the result, all the entire process steps are carried out in the single hollow spherically-structured reactor. This is different from the conventional extraction producing apparatus.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Literature

(Patent Document 1) 1. KR Patent No. 10-0962214 (Jun. 1, 2010)

(Patent Document 2) 2. KR Patent No. 10-1539458 (Jul. 20, 2015)

DISCLOSURE

Technical Purpose

A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a copper extraction method, which can economically mass produce copper from inexpensive iron by modifying the iron element to a copper element via a hydrogen nuclear fusion reaction.

Technical Solutions

When iron (Fe) was added to the acidic copper solution where the acidic copper solutions contain water (H₂O), acidic components and copper ions, the hydrogen, acidic components and copper ions collide such that four hydrogens (H) chain reaction occurs, and thus helium (He) is formed while the hydrogen nuclear fusion reaction occurs. In this connection, when the iron (Fe) was added in the acidic copper solution, a chain reaction between protons and neutrons occurs such that the iron 56 atomic nuclei are destroyed by a gamma ray photon generated from the helium (He). At the same time, as the hydrogen nucleus fusion reaction occurs, the copper element enters the site where the iron nucleus is destroyed. This changes the iron element into a copper element. In this connection, when the iron nucleus is destroyed and the copper element nucleus enters the iron nucleus, the exothermic reaction occurs, and, at the same time, the modification reaction occurs in which the iron element is converted into a copper element.

When the iron is added to the acidic copper solution, the hydrogens (H) exiting and the hydrogens introduced as the reaction accelerator are combined such that the four hydrogens (H) turn into one helium (He), resulting in a chain reaction between the protons and the neutrons and thus hydrogen fusion reaction occurs. As a result, when a copper ion element enters the iron nucleus, the copper element expands to destroy the iron nucleus, such that the iron element is modified to a copper element. When the iron is directly added into the acidic copper solution, the copper is extracted. However, the reason for including the oxidation of iron to iron oxide is to achieve a time reduction and to promote the iron modification.

The addition of the hydrogen is also intended to achieve a time reduction and promote the iron modification.

Further, the use of the iron particle having an iron particle diameter of 0.001 mm to 10 mm is to shorten the modification time.

Embodiments of the present disclosure for achieving the object of the present invention are as follows.

Hereinafter, a concentration % means g of solute per 100 g of solution.

In one aspect, a copper extraction method via iron modification may include:

injecting 45 g of iron in a hollow spherically-structured reactor and injecting mixed solution between 50 ml of sulfuric acid (10% concentration) and 50 ml of hydrochloric acid (10% concentration) into the reactor;

adding oxygen (dissolution rate: 0.001 to 0.01% liter) as a reaction promoter in the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

rotating an agitator in the reactor for 3 hours to oxidize the iron;

discharging gas generated from the oxidation reaction of the iron;

selecting a copper-containing acidic solution to be added to the hollow spherically-structured reactor, wherein the copper-containing acidic solution is selected from a group consisting of copper chloride solution, copper sulfate solution, copper nitrate solution, copper acetate solution, copper borate solution, and copper phosphate solution;

adding the selected copper-containing acidic solution into the hollow spherically-structured reactor (in one example, adding 22.5 g of copper sulfate pentahydrate in 100 ml of distilled water to form a copper sulfate solution and adding the copper sulfate solution into the hollow spherically-structured reactor);

adding hydrogen (dissolution rate 0.001 to 0.01% liter) into the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

rotating the agitator for 0 to 2 hours while generating an exothermic reaction by the addition of the hydrogen;

evacuating gases generated from a modification reaction from the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

cooling heat generated by an exothermic reaction occurring when the iron is modified into copper by introducing cold air into the hollow spherically-structured reactor and rotating the agitator;

after the modification reaction is completed, leaving only the modified acidic copper in the hollow spherically-structured reactor and discharging a reaction solution and impurities from the reactor;

injecting a neutralizing agent into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the resulting acidic copper and rotating the agitator to neutralize the acidic copper, wherein the neutralizing agent is selected from a group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and a surfactant;

adding washing water to the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the neutralized copper to wash the neutralized copper; and

injecting hot air (80 to 100° C.) into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the washed copper such that the copper is dried to obtain the dried copper.

Hereinafter, in another aspect, a copper extraction apparatus used in the present disclosure is disclosed.

The copper extraction apparatus may include:

a hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 in which iron is input into an acidic solution to change into an iron oxide (FeO) which in turn is added into an acidic copper solution to modify the iron into copper;

an opening 110 constructed to penetrate a reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100, wherein a source iron, copper, acidic solution, and acidic copper solution is charged through the opening 110 into a reaction chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100, and an extracted copper is discharged through the opening 110 out of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100;

a gas inlet 128 constructed to penetrate the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that oxygen and hydrogen are introduced through the gas inlet into the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 to promote the oxidation reaction and the modification reaction;

a gas outlet 120 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 such that gases generated in the oxidation reaction and modification reaction are discharged through the gas outlet out of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100;

a washing-water inlet 130 constructed to penetrate the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that washing-water for cleaning neutralized copper is injected through the inlet 130 into the reaction chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100;

a hot and cold air generator 148 attached to the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100;

a cold or hot air inlet 140 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that cold air or hot air is introduced through the inlet 140 into the reaction chamber to dry extracted copper using cold air or hot air generated by the hot and cold air generator 148;

an agitator 108 disposed in the reaction chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so as to facilitate copper washing, copper drying, and oxidation and modification reactions, wherein the agitator 108 includes nine blades 960 at three stages;

an reaction solution outlet 160 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that reaction solutions are discharged through the outlet 160 out of the reaction chamber;

a filtering mesh 162 disposed on an inner wall of the reaction chamber to cover the reaction solution outlet 160 to prevent discharge-out of the extracted copper when the reaction solution and impurities are discharged out of the chamber; and

a tilting mount plate 200 mounted on the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100, wherein the tilting mount plate 200 is capable of being inclined at 5° to 180° relative to a ground such that the copper and the solutions can be easily injected into the chamber through the opening 110, and the obtained copper can be easily discharged through the opening 110 out of the chamber, and the reaction solution and impurities can be easily discharged through the reaction solution outlet 160 out of the chamber.

Technical Effects

Using the copper extraction apparatus according to the present disclosure may extract a large amount of expensive copper in an economical manner using low cost iron. This may have the same economic effect as obtaining copper mines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a copper extraction process according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a copper extraction apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an operating state of the copper extraction apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a certified test result according to Present Example 1.

FIG. 5 shows a photograph of extracted copper according to Present Example 2.

FIG. 6 is a representative figure of KR 10-1539458.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: reactor                     110: opening
120: gas outlet                  128: gas inlet
130: washing-water inlet         140: cold or hot air inlet
148: hot and cold air generator  160: reaction solution outlet.
162: filtering mesh              200: tilting mount plate
400: ascending and descending mechanism
500: controller.
800: reinforced fiber plastic (FRP) 960: blades
700: power transmission          108: agitator
102: engine motor

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, the present disclosure is more specifically described.

The copper extraction method according to the present disclosure may include the step of adding iron (Fe) to the acidic solution. Further, the method may include the step of adding oxygen as a reaction promoter into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the iron and the acid solution to accelerate the oxidation reaction to produce the iron oxide.

In order to promote the oxidation reaction, iron may be added in the form of iron powder or pieces having a particle diameter of about 0.001 to 10 mm, and the acidic solution may have a concentration of 0.01 to 1570%.

In the hollow spherically-structured reactor where the oxidation process proceeds, the oxidation reaction may be promoted by rotating the blades of the agitator via the engine motor.

The time for oxidizing the iron during the oxidation process may vary depending on the concentration of the acidic solution and the amount of iron used. After the addition of the iron into the acidic solution in the chamber, oxygen as a promoter is added to oxidize the iron (Fe) to the iron oxide (FeO), and, then, the acidic copper solution is introduced into the chamber of the reactor.

When the iron has been subjected to the modification reaction into the copper, the copper may be contained in a range of from 1 to 40% by weight based on 100% by weight of iron.

The process of modifying the iron to the copper by adding the hydrogen or hydrogen as the modification promoter in the hollow spherically-structured reactor is as follows.

The method comprises administering the copper-containing acidic solution in the chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the iron. Further, in this method, the agitator is rotated to perform the modification reaction to modify the iron element to a copper element.

When hydrogen is added in the chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor, it may shorten the processing time and increase the copper extraction efficiency.

The step of introducing the copper-containing acidic solution may be repeatedly performed.

Hydrogen may be added at a dissolution rate 0.001 to 0.01% liter. Further, using hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide may have following advantages: the process of modification of iron to copper occurs rapidly; the yield of copper is improved; and, a large amount of copper having a high purity can be extracted in a relatively short time.

Copper added to perform the modification reaction may be added in an amount of 1 to 40 wt % relative to 100 wt % of iron. When the copper production is low, the method may involve the use of hydrogen water for the modification reaction. Further, when the copper production is high, the method may also include injecting the oxygen and hydrogen directly to the reactor using a hose.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the copper extraction method via iron modification will be described in detail with reference to the Present Examples.

PRESENT EXAMPLE 1

The copper extraction method via iron modification may include:

injecting 45 g of iron in a hollow spherically-structured reactor and injecting mixed solution between 50 ml of sulfuric acid (10% concentration) and 50 ml of hydrochloric acid (10% concentration) into the reactor and performing oxidation of the iron for 24 hours;

after completion of the oxidation reaction, discharging the reaction solution and impurities out of the reactor with leaving only the iron oxide in the reactor;

selecting a copper-containing acidic solution to be added to the hollow spherically-structured reactor, wherein the copper-containing acidic solution is selected from a group consisting of copper chloride solution, copper sulfate solution, copper nitrate solution, copper acetate solution, copper borate solution, and copper phosphate solution;

adding the selected copper-containing acidic solution into the hollow spherically-structured reactor (in one example, adding 22.5 g of copper sulfate pentahydrate (copper content: 5.71g) in 100 ml of distilled water to form a copper sulfate solution and adding the copper sulfate solution into the hollow spherically-structured reactor);

rotating the agitator for 12 hours while generating an exothermic reaction;

re-charging 1% copper sulfate solution (copper content: 0.62 g) 200 mL in the reactor and performing the modification reaction for 1 hour;

evacuating the reaction solution and impurities as generated from the modification reaction from the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

injecting a neutralizing agent into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the resulting acidic copper and rotating the agitator to neutralize the acidic copper, wherein the neutralizing agent is selected from a group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and a surfactant;

adding washing water to the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the neutralized copper to wash the neutralized copper; and

injecting hot air (80 to 100° C.) into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the washed copper such that the copper is dried to obtain the dried copper.

PRESENT EXAMPLE 2

A copper extraction method via iron modification may include:

injecting 45 g of iron in a hollow spherically-structured reactor and injecting mixed solution between 50 ml of sulfuric acid (10% concentration) and 50 ml of hydrochloric acid (10% concentration) into the reactor at an oxidation reaction temperature 3 to 25 degrees C.;

adding oxygen (dissolution rate: 0.001 to 0.01% liter) as a reaction promoter in the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

rotating an agitator in the reactor for 3 hours to oxidize the iron;

discharging gas generated from the oxidation reaction of the iron;

discharging the reaction solution and impurities generated from the oxidation reaction of the iron out of the reactor with leaving only the iron oxide in the reactor;

selecting a copper-containing acidic solution to be added to the hollow spherically-structured reactor, wherein the copper-containing acidic solution is selected from a group consisting of copper chloride solution, copper sulfate solution, copper nitrate solution, copper acetate solution, copper borate solution, and copper phosphate solution;

adding the selected copper-containing acidic solution into the hollow spherically-structured reactor (in one example, adding 22.5 g of copper sulfate pentahydrate (copper content: 5.71 g) in 100 ml of distilled water to form a copper sulfate solution and adding the copper sulfate solution into the hollow spherically-structured reactor);

re-charging 1% copper sulfate solution (copper content: 0.62 g) 200 mL in the reactor and performing the modification reaction for 1 hour;

adding hydrogen (dissolution rate 0.001 to 0.01% liter) into the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

rotating the agitator for 0 to 2 hours while generating an exothermic reaction by the addition of the hydrogen to modify the iron to the copper;

evacuating gases generated from the modification reaction from the hollow spherically-structured reactor;

cooling heat generated by an exothermic reaction occurring when the iron is modified into copper by introducing cold air into the hollow spherically-structured reactor and rotating the agitator;

after the modification reaction is completed, leaving only the modified acidic copper in the hollow spherically-structured reactor and discharging a reaction solution and impurities from the reactor;

injecting a neutralizing agent into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the resulting acidic copper and rotating the agitator to neutralize the acidic copper, wherein the neutralizing agent is selected from a group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and a surfactant;

adding washing water to the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the neutralized copper to wash the neutralized copper; and

injecting hot air (80 to 100° C.) into the hollow spherically-structured reactor containing the washed copper and rotating the agitator such that the copper is dried to obtain the dried copper.

In Present Example 2, the addition of, as the reaction promoters, the oxygen and hydrogen has the effect of shortening the oxidation and modification reactions.

According to the present disclosure, the method may involve repeatedly injecting the copper-containing acidic solution in the modification reaction of an iron element into a copper element.

A test result for the purity of the copper obtained from the present example is shown in FIG. 4. The test result shows that the purity of the obtained copper is 96.1%.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of copper as extracted from copper extraction with the addition of hydrogen.

Hereinafter, the copper extraction apparatus will be described.

The copper extraction apparatus used in accordance with the present disclosure includes a hollow spherically-structured reactor having a chamber defined therein, and having a chamber wall made of stainless steel for defining the chamber. The reactor is configured to perform material input, reaction, gas discharge, cooling, neutralization, washing, drying, etc. in the single chamber.

The inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor may be coated with a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) 800, thereby preventing corrosion. The fiber-reinforced plastic 800 is preferably a heat-resistant material so as to withstand high temperatures.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification has the hollow spherically-structured reactor, as shown in FIG. 2. The hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 has a chamber formed therein. The chamber is defined by the chamber wall.

In the chamber, the agitator 108 for evenly mixing the raw materials is disposed on a center of the inner bottom surface of the chamber wall.

Against the weight of the iron, the agitator 108 has nine blades 960 mounted at three stages on a rotating shaft. The blades rotate rapidly to promote the iron oxidation reaction and rapidly mix the reactants within the hollow spherically-structured reactor.

As shown in FIG. 2, an inner cylinder 600 may be powered via a power transmission 700 and the agitator 108 may be driven by an engine motor 102.

Since the engine motor 102 is operated by an electric force, the motor receives separate power.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include an opening 110 constructed to penetrate a reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100, wherein a source iron, copper, acidic solution, and acidic copper solution is charged through the opening 110 into a reaction chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100, and an extracted copper is discharged through the opening 110 out of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100;

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a gas inlet 128 constructed to penetrate the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that oxygen and hydrogen are introduced through the gas inlet into the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 to promote the oxidation reaction and the modification reaction.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a gas outlet 120 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 such that gases generated in the oxidation reaction and modification reaction are discharged through the gas outlet out of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a washing-water inlet 130 constructed to penetrate the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that washing-water for cleaning neutralized copper is injected through the inlet 130 into the reaction chamber of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a hot and cold air generator 148 attached to the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a cold or hot air inlet 140 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that cold air or hot air is introduced through the inlet 140 into the reaction chamber to dry extracted copper using cold air or hot air generated by the hot and cold air generator 148.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include an reaction solution outlet 160 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 so that reaction solutions are discharged through the outlet 160 out of the reaction chamber.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a filtering mesh 162 disposed on an inner wall of the reaction chamber to cover the reaction solution outlet 160 to prevent discharge-out of the extracted copper when the reaction solution and impurities are discharged out of the chamber.

The copper extraction apparatus via the iron modification may include a tilting mount plate 200 mounted on the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100, wherein the tilting mount plate 200 is capable of being inclined at 5° to 180° relative to a ground such that the copper and the solutions can be easily injected into the chamber through the opening 110, and the obtained copper can be easily discharged through the opening 110 out of the chamber, and the reaction solution and impurities can be easily discharged through the reaction solution outlet 160, out of the chamber.

Specifically, the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 is mounted on a tilting mount plate 200. An ascending and descending mechanism 400 is installed at one end of the tilting mount plate 200. As a result, the tilting mount plate 200 is inclined by the ascending and descending movement of the ascending and descending mechanism 400. Accordingly, the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 is correspondingly inclined. The coupling position of the ascending and descending mechanism 400 and the tilting mount plate 200 is controlled such that, when one end of the tilting mount plate 200 is lifted up and tilted and thus a portion of the reaction solution outlet 160 defined in the hollow spherically-structured reactor 100 is tilted downward.

In this embodiment, the ascending and descending mechanism 400 is connected to one end of the tilting mount plate 200. Thus, the tilting mount plate 200 is tilted by the tilting mount plate 400.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the tilting mount plate 200 is tilted. When the tilting mount plate 200 is tilted and thus the reactor 100 is tilted, it is easy to discharge the reaction solution through the reaction solution outlet 160 out of the reactor.

In the reaction, the reaction solution outlet 160 has a closed structure by a lid. The lid is removed when the reaction solution is drained.

In the present embodiment, the ascending and descending mechanism 400 comprises an inner cylinder 600.

The hollow spherically-structured reactor may have an inclination of 5° to 180° relative to the ground.

Accordingly, when the reaction is completed, the hollow spherically-structured reactor is tilted such that the raw material can be easily injected into the inlet, and the resulting copper can be easily discharged out of the reactor.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In countries where copper is imported, copper is used throughout the production of crafts, electricity, building materials and nutrient minerals. According to the present disclosure, the copper production is economical because the present method produces expensive copper using cheap iron. The copper extraction method via the iron modification and the copper extraction apparatus which conducts the method may allow the large-scale production of the copper using the iron, which is highly industrially applicable.

Claims

1. A copper extraction method via iron modification, the method comprising: providing a first reactor;injecting iron or iron oxide into the first reactor;adding an acidic solution or oxygen through an inlet of reactor into the reactor to oxidize the iron;selecting a copper-containing acidic solution to be added to the first reactor, wherein the copper-containing acidic solution is selected from a group consisting of copper chloride solution, copper sulfate solution, copper nitrate solution, copper acetate solution, copper borate solution, and copper phosphate solution;adding the selected copper-containing acidic solution into the first reactor;adding hydrogen as a reaction promoter to the first reactor to promote modification reaction to extract the iron into acidic copper;injecting a neutralizing agent into the first reactor containing the resulting acidic copper to neutralize the acidic copper, wherein the neutralizing agent is selected from a group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and a surfactant;adding washing water to the first reactor containing the neutralized copper to wash the neutralized copper to obtain copper; anddrying the obtained copper with hot air to extract copper.

2. The copper extraction method of claim 1, wherein when the iron is modified into copper in the acidic copper solution loaded in the first reactor, 1 to 40 wt % of copper ions is contained based on 100 wt % of the iron.

3. The copper extraction method of claim 1, wherein when the iron is oxidized in the first reactor, the oxygen at a dissolution rate of 0.001 or greater %/liter is added into the first reactor, wherein when the iron is modified in the first reactor, the hydrogen at a dissolution rate of 0.001 or greater %/liter is added into the first reactor.

4. The copper extraction method of claim 1, wherein when the iron is oxidized in the acidic solution in the first reactor, the oxidation reaction temperature is in a range of 0 to 100° C.

5. A copper extraction apparatus via iron modification, the apparatus comprising: a first reactor 100 having a reaction chamber defined therein, wherein an inner wall face of the chamber is made of a fiber reinforced plastic coating for anti-oxidation, wherein a modification of iron into copper occurs in the reaction chamber;an agitator 108 disposed in the reaction chamber of the first reactor 100 at a bottom center of a chamber wall so as to facilitate copper washing, copper drying, and oxidation and modification reactions, wherein the agitator 108 includes nine blades 960 at three stages;an opening 110 constructed to penetrate a reaction chamber wall of the first reactor 100, wherein a source iron, copper, acidic solution, and acidic copper solution is charged through the opening 110 into a reaction chamber of the first reactor 100, and an extracted copper is discharged through the opening 110 out of the first reactor 100;a gas inlet 128 constructed to penetrate the reaction chamber wall of the first reactor 100 so that oxygen and hydrogen are introduced through the gas inlet into the first reactor 100 to promote the oxidation reaction and the modification reaction;a gas outlet 120 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the first reactor 100 such that gases generated in the oxidation reaction and modification reaction are discharged through the gas outlet out of the first reactor 100;a washing-water inlet 130 constructed to penetrate the reaction chamber wall of the first reactor 100 so that washing-water for cleaning neutralized copper is injected through the inlet 130 into the reaction chamber of the first reactor 100;a hot and cold air generator 148 attached to the first reactor 100;a cold or hot air inlet 140 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the first reactor 100 so that cold air or hot air is introduced through the inlet 140 into the reaction chamber to dry extracted copper using cold air or hot air generated by the hot and cold air generator 148;an reaction solution outlet 160 constructed to pass through the reaction chamber wall of the first reactor 100 so that reaction solutions are discharged through the outlet 160 out of the reaction chamber;a filtering mesh 162 disposed on an inner wall of the reaction chamber to cover the reaction solution outlet 160 to prevent discharge-out of the extracted copper when the reaction solution and impurities are discharged out of the chamber; anda tilting mount plate 200 mounted on the first reactor 100.

6. The copper extraction apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of inner and outer shapes of the reactor includes at least one selected from a spherical shape, a tetrahedron shape, an octahedron shape, a dodecahedron shape, and a cuboid shape.

7. The copper extraction apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tilting mount plate 200 is capable of being inclined at 5° to 180° relative to a ground such that the copper and the solutions can be easily injected into the chamber through the opening 110.

8. The copper extraction apparatus of claim 5, further including an evaporator that controls a gas discharged from the gas outlet 120 for discharging the gas generated during the oxidation and modification reaction, and a freezer for compressing the gas.

9. The copper extraction apparatus of claim 5, wherein the iron particle has a particle diameter of 0.001 mm to 10 mm.