SEPARATION OF METAL SALTS BY ADSORPTION
It has been found that certain metal salts, particularly the halides of iron, cobalt, nickel, and the actinide metals, arc readily absorbed on aluminum oxide, while certain other salts, particularly rare earth metal halides, are not so absorbed. Use is made of this discovery to separate uranium from the rare earths. The metal salts are first dissolved in a molten mixture of alkali metal nitrates, e.g., the eutectic mixture of lithium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and then the molten salt solution is contacted with alumina, either by slurrying or by passing the salt solution through an absorption tower. The process is particularly valuable for the separation of actinides from lanthanum-group rare earths.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-013317
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2869983
- OSTI ID:
- 4266880
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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