Cerium Extraction from Solution by Adsorbing Colloid Flotation (ACF)

Abstract

In this research, cerium recycling was studied by Adsorbing Colloid Flotation (ACF). Ten important parameters including collector type and dosage, cerium and colloid concentrations, frother type, activator type, preparation and frothing time, air flowrate and pH, each in two levels, were investigated. Statistical design of experiment was implemented for process modelling and analysis of variance showed that factors pH, collector type, collector and cerium dosage and colloid concentration were the most significant factors which effecting Ce recovery and grade. Results showed that the cerium maximum recovery was 99.84 %. The feed initial concentration was 500 ppm in each test and the final concentrate grade was enhanced to 25.1 % by Adsorbing colloid flotation. The SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) analysis before and after adsorbing flotation showed that ACF was a great method for cerium extracting from solutions and waste waters. Finally, results showed an economical optimum point to achieve maximum recovery and grade simultaneously under minimum consumption of flotation reagents.

Keywords

• cerium flotation
• adsorbing colloid flotation
• colloid
• fractional factorial design
• ree elements