Extraction and Separation of Zirconium from Hafnium by Continuous and Batch Method

Abstract

In this research, the effect of the initial concentration of zirconium, nitric acid concentration, volume percentage of organic solvent phase (tributyl phosphate) and the phase ratio on extraction (%) was studied in a batch method and the optimum conditions for continuous operation (Mixer-settler) of these parameters were introduced. In the experimental studies of zirconium extraction in a 6-stage horizontal laboratory mixer-settler, the aqueous solution (feed) was 4 M nitric acid mixed with 4 M HCl containing 60 gr per liter of zirconium. 50%V tributyl phosphate in kerosene, 1000 rpm impeller speed, with the equal phase ratio at ambient temperature and pressure was used for the extraction operations. In this research work, the extraction of zirconium at settler stages within 3 different times has been compared with the theoretical quantities obtained from the McCabe curve. The zirconium extraction (%) at each stage of the mixer-settler was close to the corresponding amount in equilibrium conditions, indicating a very good agreement between theoretical and experimental data.

Keywords

• extraction and separation
• zirconium- hafnium
• batch method
• continuous method
• tbp