Batch Simulation of Rare Earths Extractive Separation by Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid and Tributylphosphate in Kerosene

Liquid-liquid extraction is applied to separate individual rare earths. In this research, 6-stage continuous countercurrent solvent extraction was simulated to extract rare earths from rare earth nitrate solution, which was obtained from monazite processing, to estimate the possible optimum operating conditions for pilot or industrial plants. The solvent(S) per feed(F) ratio (S/F) was varied from 1 to 3. The organic are 1.0 and 1.5 Molars (M) Di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) in kerosene. 50% tributylphosphate (TBP) in kerosene was applied for comparison. It was found that D2EHPA was a good extracting agent for heavy rare earths while TBP extracted well both light and heavy rare earths. After extraction with TBP and D2EHPA, the extraction efficiency at solvent per feed ratio (S/F) =2 and 3 showed a slight difference. S/F =2 was selected commercially for operation