Separation of zirconium from hafnium by solvent extraction
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
InventorDavid J. MacDonald
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Abstract
Separation of zirconium and hafnium by solvent extraction with a tertiary amine from sulfuric acid solution is improved by addition of water-soluble .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid to the aqueous phase.
Claims4
In a process for separation of zirconium from hafnium by solvent extraction of an aqueous sulfuric acid feed solution containing the metals with an organic extractant comprising a solution of a high molecular weight tertiary amine in an organic solvent and separation of the organic and aqueous phases, the improvement comprising adding to the feed solution prior to extraction about 0.5 to 10 moles per mole of zirconium in the feed solution of a water-soluble and organic solvent-insoluble .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.