Calculation of Distribution Ratios of Rare Earth Elements in Multistage Counter Current Extraction with HDEHP

Abstract

Extraction of rare earth elements with di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) - tributyl-phosphate (TBP)-n-paraffin system was studied as functions of concentrations of the quantity of H+ released into aqueous phase. The ratio of rare earth elements extracted into organic phase was found to depend on the initial composition of the aqueous solution. The ratios determined for various concentrations of rare earth elements and acid were shown as a linear function of the concentrations of acid in aqueous phase and that of rare earth elements in organic phase after extraction. The acid concentration in aqueous phase after extraction can be estimated from any initial concentrations of acid and rare earth elements in aqueous solution by this equation. Also a graphic process of experimental results could give approximate values of distribution ratio for various initial concentrations of rare earth elements and nitric acid. For calculation of the distribution ratio of each stage in multi-stage counter current extraction, a computation code was programmed on the basis of the graphical process. The calculated values agreed well with those obtained experimentally in multistage extraction.