Recovery of some Rare Earth Elements from Leach Liquor of the Saghand Uranium Ore Using Combined Precipitation and Cation Exchange Methods

Khanchi, A; Rafati, H; Rezvaniyanzadeh, M.R

Recovery of some Rare Earth Elements from Leach Liquor of the Saghand Uranium Ore Using Combined Precipitation and Cation Exchange Methods

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

A Khanchi

H Rafati

M.R Rezvaniyanzadeh

Abstract

In this research work, the recovery and separation of La(III), Ce(III), Sm(III), Dy(III) and Nd(III) from Saghand uranium ore have been studied by precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography methods using Dowex 50W-X8 cation exchanger. At first, some preliminary and preconcentration experiments such as comminution, sieve analysis, gravity table and electrostatic in preconcentration of lanthanides were performed. Then, acidic digesting and leaching procedure were used. The results of experiments showed that rare earth elements, along with interfering ions such as Al(III), Fe(III), Mg(II) and Mn(II) present in the leach liquor solution. The investigation of separation process by precipitation method revealed that precipitation and then fast separation using centrifugal technique had the best results in the elimination of interference elements. In order to separate the lanthanides and to obtain their elution curves, the chromatographic column containing Dowex 50W-X8 resin was employed. For efficient separation of lanthanides from interference elements the hydrochloric acid with concentration of two and six molar was used respectively. Recovery of lanthanides from the leach liquor solution was achieved more than 85%.

Highlights

1. R. Lundi, J.R. Wilson, “Rare earth metals find interesting new uses despite lack of engineering data,” Imperial College Press (2002).

2. J.B. Hedrick, “Rare earths, U.S. geological survey minerals yearbook, 1, p. 60. 1-60. 16 (1999).

3. U.S. Geological Survey: http://pubs.usgs.gov/ fs/fs087-02 (2002).

4. K.M. Franken, “A roast-leach process for extraction of rare earths from complex monazite–xenotime concentrates,” Separation Science and Technology, 30(7), 1941 (1995).

5. S. Viyayan, A.J. Melnyk, R.D. Singh, K. Nuttall, “Rare earths: their mining, processing and growing industrial usage,” Mining Engineering, 41(1), 13 (1989).

6. P. Moller, P. Cerny, F.Saup, “Lanthanides, Tantalum and Niobium, Mineralogy. Geochemistry, Characteristics of Primary Ore Deposits, Processing and Applications,” Springer, Heidelberg (1989).

7. Y.M. Anwar, A.M. Abdel-Rehim, “Extraction of thorium from Egyptian Monazite,” Bull, Fac. Sci. Alex. Univ, 10, 152 (1970).

8. A.N. Zelikman, “Metallurgy of rare earths. thorium and uranium,” Metallurgizdat, Moscow (1963).

9. B.V. Sinyaver, “Autoclave processes in nonferrous metallurgy, metallurgy of nonferrous metals and gold,” Nonfer. Metal Inf, (Moscow), 171-185 (1966).

10. F. Habashi, Textbook of Hydrometallurgy. Gordon and Breach Sci., New York (1999).

11. A.M. Abdel-Rehim, “An innovative method for processing Egyptian Monazite,” Hydrometallurgy, 67, 9 (2002).

12. A. Yo¨ru¨kog˘lu, A, Obutb, A, Girgin, “Effect of thiourea on sulphuric acid leaching of bastnaesite,” Hydrometallurgy, 68, 195 (2003).

13. Y. Jiang, A. Shibayama, K. Liu, T. Fujita, “A hydrometallurgical process for extraction of lanthanum,” Yttrium and Gadolinium from Spent Optical Glass, Hydrometallurgy, 76, 1 (2005).
14. B. Saha, R.J. Gill, D.G. Bailey, N. Kabay, M. Adra, “Sorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous by amberlite XAD-7 resin impregnated with aliquat 336,” Reactive & Functional Polymers, 60, 223 (2004).

15. H. Li, F. Guo, Z. Zhang, D. Li, Z. Wang, “A new hydrometallurgical process for extracting rare earths from apatite using solvent extraction with P₃₅₀,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vols. 408-412, 995 (2006).

16. M. Monir, A. Nabawia, A. Mohammed, “Recovery of lanthanides from abu tartur phosphate rock,” Egypt, Hydrometallurgy, 52, 199 (1999).

17. C.A. Morais, V.S.T. Ciminelli, “Recovery of europium from a rare earth chloride solution,” Hydrometallurgy, 49, 167 (1998).

18. R. Chi, X. Zhang, G. Zhu, Z.A. Zhou, W. Wu, C. Wang, F. Yu, “Recovery of rare earth from bastnasite by ammonium chloride roasting with fluorine deactivation,” Minerals Engineering, 17, 1037 (2004).

19. A.M.I. Ali, Y.A. El-Nadi, J.A. Daoud, H.F. Aly, “Recovery of thorium (IV) from leached monazite solutions using counter-current extraction,” International Journal of Mineral. Processing, 81, 217 (2007).

20. Rieman and Walton, “Ion exchange in analytical chemistry,” CRC press (1970).

21. K.A. Kraus, F. Nelson, “Anion exchange studies of the fission products,” Proceeding of the International Conference on the Peaceful United Nations, New York (1956).

22. E.C. Freiling, L.R. Bummey, “Ion exchange as a separation method. VII. near-optimum conditions for the separation of fission products of rare earths with lactic and eluent at 87^ºC,” Journal of Chemical Society, 76, 1021 (1954).

23. J.A.C. Broekaert, P.K. Horman, “Separation of yttrium and rare earth elements from geological materials,” Analytica Chimica Acta, 124, 421 (1981).

24. C. Koopman, G.J. Witkamp, G.M. Van Rosmalen, “Removal of heavy metals and lanthanides from industrial phosphoric acid process liquors,” Separation Science and Technology, 34(15) 2997 (1999).

25. M.I. Saleh, M.F. Bari, B. Saad, “Solvent extraction of lanthanum(III) from acidic nitrate-acetato medium by cyanex 272 in toluene,” Hydrometallurgy, 63, 75 (2002).

26. C. Hill, C. Madic, P. Baron, M. Ozawa, Y. Tanak, “Trivalent minor actinides/lanthanides separation, using organophosphinic acids,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 271-273, 159 (1998).

27. G. Modolo, R. Odoj, “The separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides by dithiophosphinic acides from HNO₃ acid medium,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 271-273, 248 (1998).

28. م. کیایی، ”بررسی امکان فراوری اورانیوم، توریم، آهن و عناصر نادر خاکی آنومالی 5 ساغند،“ پایان‌نامه کارشناسی ارشد، سازمان انرژی اتمی ایران (1379).

م. اکبری، ”بررسی پارامترهای مؤثر بر عملیات هضم کانی‌های اورانیوم آنومالی 5 ساغند،“ پایان‌نامه کارشناسی ارشد، سازمان انرژی اتمی ایران (1383).

Keywords

Rare Earths

Uranium Ores

Precipitation

Ion Exchange Chromatography

Ion Exchange Resins

Saghand

1. R. Lundi, J.R. Wilson, “Rare earth metals find interesting new uses despite lack of engineering data,” Imperial College Press (2002).

2. J.B. Hedrick, “Rare earths, U.S. geological survey minerals yearbook, 1, p. 60. 1-60. 16 (1999).

3. U.S. Geological Survey: http://pubs.usgs.gov/ fs/fs087-02 (2002).

4. K.M. Franken, “A roast-leach process for extraction of rare earths from complex monazite–xenotime concentrates,” Separation Science and Technology, 30(7), 1941 (1995).

5. S. Viyayan, A.J. Melnyk, R.D. Singh, K. Nuttall, “Rare earths: their mining, processing and growing industrial usage,” Mining Engineering, 41(1), 13 (1989).

6. P. Moller, P. Cerny, F.Saup, “Lanthanides, Tantalum and Niobium, Mineralogy. Geochemistry, Characteristics of Primary Ore Deposits, Processing and Applications,” Springer, Heidelberg (1989).

7. Y.M. Anwar, A.M. Abdel-Rehim, “Extraction of thorium from Egyptian Monazite,” Bull, Fac. Sci. Alex. Univ, 10, 152 (1970).

8. A.N. Zelikman, “Metallurgy of rare earths. thorium and uranium,” Metallurgizdat, Moscow (1963).

9. B.V. Sinyaver, “Autoclave processes in nonferrous metallurgy, metallurgy of nonferrous metals and gold,” Nonfer. Metal Inf, (Moscow), 171-185 (1966).

10. F. Habashi, Textbook of Hydrometallurgy. Gordon and Breach Sci., New York (1999).

11. A.M. Abdel-Rehim, “An innovative method for processing Egyptian Monazite,” Hydrometallurgy, 67, 9 (2002).

12. A. Yo¨ru¨kog˘lu, A, Obutb, A, Girgin, “Effect of thiourea on sulphuric acid leaching of bastnaesite,” Hydrometallurgy, 68, 195 (2003).

13. Y. Jiang, A. Shibayama, K. Liu, T. Fujita, “A hydrometallurgical process for extraction of lanthanum,” Yttrium and Gadolinium from Spent Optical Glass, Hydrometallurgy, 76, 1 (2005).
14. B. Saha, R.J. Gill, D.G. Bailey, N. Kabay, M. Adra, “Sorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous by amberlite XAD-7 resin impregnated with aliquat 336,” Reactive & Functional Polymers, 60, 223 (2004).

15. H. Li, F. Guo, Z. Zhang, D. Li, Z. Wang, “A new hydrometallurgical process for extracting rare earths from apatite using solvent extraction with P₃₅₀,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vols. 408-412, 995 (2006).

16. M. Monir, A. Nabawia, A. Mohammed, “Recovery of lanthanides from abu tartur phosphate rock,” Egypt, Hydrometallurgy, 52, 199 (1999).

17. C.A. Morais, V.S.T. Ciminelli, “Recovery of europium from a rare earth chloride solution,” Hydrometallurgy, 49, 167 (1998).

18. R. Chi, X. Zhang, G. Zhu, Z.A. Zhou, W. Wu, C. Wang, F. Yu, “Recovery of rare earth from bastnasite by ammonium chloride roasting with fluorine deactivation,” Minerals Engineering, 17, 1037 (2004).

19. A.M.I. Ali, Y.A. El-Nadi, J.A. Daoud, H.F. Aly, “Recovery of thorium (IV) from leached monazite solutions using counter-current extraction,” International Journal of Mineral. Processing, 81, 217 (2007).

20. Rieman and Walton, “Ion exchange in analytical chemistry,” CRC press (1970).

21. K.A. Kraus, F. Nelson, “Anion exchange studies of the fission products,” Proceeding of the International Conference on the Peaceful United Nations, New York (1956).

22. E.C. Freiling, L.R. Bummey, “Ion exchange as a separation method. VII. near-optimum conditions for the separation of fission products of rare earths with lactic and eluent at 87^ºC,” Journal of Chemical Society, 76, 1021 (1954).

23. J.A.C. Broekaert, P.K. Horman, “Separation of yttrium and rare earth elements from geological materials,” Analytica Chimica Acta, 124, 421 (1981).

24. C. Koopman, G.J. Witkamp, G.M. Van Rosmalen, “Removal of heavy metals and lanthanides from industrial phosphoric acid process liquors,” Separation Science and Technology, 34(15) 2997 (1999).

25. M.I. Saleh, M.F. Bari, B. Saad, “Solvent extraction of lanthanum(III) from acidic nitrate-acetato medium by cyanex 272 in toluene,” Hydrometallurgy, 63, 75 (2002).

26. C. Hill, C. Madic, P. Baron, M. Ozawa, Y. Tanak, “Trivalent minor actinides/lanthanides separation, using organophosphinic acids,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 271-273, 159 (1998).

27. G. Modolo, R. Odoj, “The separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides by dithiophosphinic acides from HNO₃ acid medium,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 271-273, 248 (1998).