Intensification of the extraction of rare earth elements at the local mechanical vibration in the interfacial layer

Abstract

The process of extraction of rare-earth elements (REEs) by solutions of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and tributylphosphate (TBP) in static and dynamic systems was studied. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of mechanical vibration at the interfacial layer on the rate of REEs extraction in a static and dynamic system. It is established that local energy applying allows intensification of extraction, which is caused by the inhibition of structure formation in the interfacial layer. It is shown that the value of the enhancement factor of extraction depends on the frequency of the applied vibration, the type of the experimental cell, the type of the vibrating element, as well as the initial concentration of the REEs and extragent and the velocity of motion of the liquids. Moving flows can partially carry cruds from the interfacial layer into the organic phase. This leads to an increase in the interface renewal, partial carrying of interfacial formations and, as a result, an increase in the extraction of REEs by a given time.