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SEPARATION OF CERIUM FROM OTHER RARE-EARTH METALS

Journal Article · · Tsvetnye Metally
OSTI ID:4818702

Separation of Ce from other rare-earth metals by oxidation of Ce/sup 3+/ to Ce/sup 4+/ in an aqueous suspension of rare-earth metal hydroxides with oxygen under pressure at an elevated temperature was investigated. The hydroxides were obtained from a solution of chlorides containing 29.5% rareearth metals, either directly by precipitation with caustic soda or ammonia or indirectly by converting the chlorides to double sulfates and by decomposition of the latter with caustic soda. The experimentally determined optimum conditions were: pH = 10; oxygen pressure, 5 to 10 atm; and temperature, 130 deg C. Under these conditions, complete oxidation of Ce occurs in 30 min, but only in the hydroxides obtained by decomposition of sulfates. Oxidation of Ce in hydroxides precipitated from chloride solutions by ammonia is incomplete. Oxygen-treated rare-earth metal hydroxides yield cerium concentrates with up to 95% CeO/sub 2/. (auth)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-16-027147
OSTI ID:
4818702
Journal Information:
Tsvetnye Metally, Journal Name: Tsvetnye Metally Vol. Vol: No. 1
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English