DefinePK

Abstract

During the processing of apatite concentrate, the distribution of REM in solutions of phosphoric acid (15-20%) and solid industrial waste - phosphogypsum (85-80%) occurs. Therein the larger half of more valuable heavy subgroup of REM, including Y, Yb, Er and Dy compounds, are dissolved in the phosphoric acid solutions. Complex composition of the apatite concentrate processing products and low concentration of heavy REM subgroup relatively to metal impurities and light REM inhibits REM extraction and separation process, and, probable, is responsible for low extractant capacity for individual compounds of REM. Iron (3+) ions have a significant impact on rare-earth metals extraction process. This impact is caused by the competitive participation of these ions in the extraction process, which, with account of their much higher concentration in EPA solutions, compared with rare-earth ions, leads to decrease in the extractant capacity for REM. Therefore, the study of the purification of the extract from iron ions (3+) is a relevant problem.