Extraction of Neodymium (III) from Neodymium Concentrate Using Synergistic Solvent D2EHPA, TOPO and TBP

Abstract

Solvent extraction was performed on Nd (III) concentrate by using synegistic solvents D2EHPA, TOPO and TBP. The aim of this research is to know the effect of synergistic solvent on the extraction result. The extraction process of the Nd (III) concentrate was carried out at the feed pH of 1.0. The first extraction was carried out using a mixture of D2EHPA and TOPO extractants while the second extraction used a mixture of D2EHPA and TBP at various concentrations (10: 0, 8: 2, 6: 4, 4: 6, 2: 8 and 0:10) and variation of feed and solvent volume ratio (0.5: 1.0; 0.75: 1.0; 1.0: 1.0; 1.0: 0.5; 1.0: 0.75) at constant stirring speed of 250 rpm and extraction time of 30 minute. The results showed that the concentration and volume of synergistic solvents greatly influenced the distribution coefficient (Kd), extraction efficiency (E) and separation factor (α). From all parameters studied the highest separation factor was obtained using the synergistic % ratio of D2EHPA-TOPO 4: 6 solvent and the volume ratio of feed and solvent 1: 0,5 ie α Nd-Pr = 2.55 and α Nd-Sm = 1.47 but the distribution coefficient and efficiency of the three elements are low so they are not selected. The recommended condition is to use a 4% -6% D2EHPA-TOPO synergistic solvent and a 0.5: 1.0 solvent and solvent ratio. In this condition obtained Kd Nd = 0.46 Kd Pr = 0.27 Kd Sm = 0.72, E Nd = 31.5% E Pr = 21.3% E Sm = 41.8 with the separationfactor α Nd-Pr = 1.7and αNd-Sm = 0.84.