Continuous ion exchange separation of zirconium and hafnium

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6644933

Begovich, J. M.; Sisson, W. G.

A pressurized continuous annular chromatograph (CAC) has been developed for truly continuous ion exchange preparative separations. This device utilizes a slowly rotating annular bed of sorbent material, fixed multiple feed points, and fixed withdrawal locations. Most of our investigations have been performed with a 28-cm-diam by 60-cm-long CAC, but a larger model has recently been designed and constructed. A detailed study has been made of the separation of copper, nickel, and cobalt components from a simulated carbonate leach liquor of the Caron process for recovering nickel and cobalt from laterite ores. Recent studies have investigated the ion exchange separation of zirconium and hafnium from a sulfate feed solution. Nuclear reactor-grade zirconium, containing < 0.01 wt % hafnium, and hafnium, containing < 1% zirconium, have been continuously prepared using cation exchange resin in the pressurized CAC. This device, because of its continuous feed and product withdrawal, its adaptability to largescale operations, and its ability to separate many components, is expected to make chromatography a more competitive process in the industrial sector.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6644933
• Report Number(s): CONF-810203-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105* -- Separation Procedures
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HAFNIUM
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
IONS
MEDIUM PRESSURE
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLYMERS
REFRACTORY METALS
RESINS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFURIC ACID
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZIRCONIUM