Intensification of Eudialyte Concentrate Leaching by Nanosecond High-Voltage Pulses

The mechanism of weakening and directional change in structural and chemical properties of eudialyte under nonthermal exposure to nanosecond high-voltage electromagnetic pulses and nitric-acid leaching is studied. The methods of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurement are used. The rational mode of high-energy pulsed treatment is determined. After such mode treatment, the acid leaching of eudialyte concentrate results in recovery of zirconium and total rare earth elements higher by 1.7 and 1.4 times as against reference standards.