Abstract
Interest in the production of individual rare earth (RE) elements has increased in the last years, due to the advances in technological applications of RE. Samarium and gadolinium are used in several applications: nuclear industry, lasers, supermagnets among others. This paper presents a technological contribution to the study of RE separation, in order to obtain Sm and Gd concentrated solutions. Experiments were carried out on a laboratory scale using solvent extraction techniques. Separation of Sm and Gd is studied in a continuous system in a micropilot unit of mixer-settlers. The extractant used is 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid, mono-2-ethylhexyl ester, diluted in isododecane (1 M). The aqueous phase processed was a chloride solution of medium and heavy RE produced from monazite leaching. The RE determinations in aqueous solutions were performed using an atomic emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma Aton-Comp, serial Ash-800. The analytical results are presented as RE concentrations profiles. Two continuous-circuit configurations are described of extraction-scrubbing-stripping for the production of Sm and Gd concentrated solutions with purity higher than 90% and 94%, respectively.
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