Extraction of Yttrium from Nd Hydroxide concentrate by using D2EHPA

Abstract

Extraction of yttrium from Nd hydroxide concentrate by using Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) has been performed. Nd hidroxide concentrate (Nd(OH)3) is a product of rare earth hydroxide (REOH) pilot plant in the Center for Accelerator Science and Technology, BATAN Yogyakarta, which still contains other rare earth metal elements, such as yttrium (Y). In the extraction process, the aquatic phase is Nd(OH)3 concentrate containing yttrium in HNO3 and as extractant or organic phase is D2EHPA in kerosene. The parameters studied were the concentration of HNO3, the concentration of D2EHPA in kerosene, and stirring time. The result of the optimization process from the research get the following conclusions: the optimum concentration of HNO3 is 1 M, the concentration of D2EHPA in kerosene is 30%, and the optimum stirring time is 25 minutes. In this condition the Kd of Y = 0.979; extraction efficiency of Y = 93.28%; SF Y-Pr, Y-Nd, and Y-Sm are infinite with SF Y-Gd = 6.080 and SF Y-Dy = 1.395. The results of this study are expected to be used as feed on ion exchange columns to separation and purification of other LTJ elements.