This paper describes in detail the effect of some factors on adsorption of Me
NH3 and CO2 from ammoniacal solutions by lignite when Cu
Ni and Co ions exist separately or simultaneously. A preliminary study is carried out on the adsorption mechanism. The adsorption by lignite is mainly physical on its surface
and chemical on the carboxylic and phenolicgroups of its humic acid. The order of affinity for lignite adsorption is NH3>Ni>Co>Cu
while the order of absorption capacity is Cu>Co>Ni> NH3. When stripping
the order is NH3>Ni>Co and Cu. Metals are fully recovered by stripping. Ammonia adsorbed by lignite from Me2+-NH3-NH4+-H2O is found easy to volatilize
only a small part remaining at 120℃. Carbon dioxide in solution is adsorbed physically on lignite
in amounts of less than 1% under ordinary hydrometallurgical conditions.