PURPOSE: To effectively separated and recover Y, HEDTA is added to a Y-containing rare earth aqueous solution as a complex agent and a mixed solvent including TBP and 2HUPDA is used as an extracting agent.
CONSTITUTION: Ores such as xenotime comtaining rate earth metal such as Y and lanthanoids are treated by aqueous acid solution such as HNO3 and HC1 to leach out rare earth metal such as Y and lanthanoids. HEDTA is added to and dessolved in the aqueous solution, which is, then, adjusted so that pH is 2.8 to 4, a concentration of rare earth such as Y is 0.05 to 0.5 atoms/liter and HEDTA is 0.2 to 0.6 times the quantity of total rare earth contained. This makes an extractable, which is, then, contacted with an extracting solution containing TBP, 5 to 25 vol% of 2HUDPA and approximately same quangity of diluents such as kerosine, ether and lalcohol. This treament separates Y into oratanic extracted solution and anthanoids into water solution respectively in a concentrated form. Y in the extracted phase is counter-extracted by dil.HC1 and dil.HNO3 and recovered as an aqueous solution
KANEKO TSUGIO
YAMAGUCHI KUNIHIKO
