STUDIES OF SEPARATION OF Y(III) AND ND(III) NITRATE COMPLEXES ON THE STRONGLY BASIC ANION-EXCHANGER WOFATIT SBW OF THE CROSS-LINKING 2-16-PERCENT DVB IN THE CH3OH-H2O-HNO3 SYSTEM

The influence of degree of cross-linking of the strongly basic anion-e xchanger Wofatit SEW x 2 - 16 on purification of yttrium(III) macroqua ntities from neodymium(III) microquantities by frontal analysis has be en studied. From the breakthrough curves of yttrium(III) and neodymium (III), both the weight and bed distribution coefficients as well as th e number of theoretical plates were determined for the 90% v/v CH3OH - 10% v/v 1 M HNO3 and 90% v/v CH3OH - 10% v/v 7 M HNO3 systems. The hi ghest values of neodymium(III) distribution coefficients were obtained for Wofatit SBWx6. For Wofatit SBWx6 the influence of HNO3 concentrat ion as well as the addition of NH4NO3 on distribution coefficient valu es and neodymium(III) ion-exchange capacity was studied in the 90% v/v CH3OH - 10% v/v 0.1-9 M HNO3 system. Moreover, separation of Y(III)-N d(III) by frontal analysis was examined in various systems. The best r esults were obtained for the 90% v/v CH3OH - 10% v/v 7 M HNO3 system. Then 1.015 kg Y2O3 could be purified with the decrease of neodymium co ntent from 1% to the value below 0.001% on 1 dm(3) of Wofatit SBWx6 in NO3- form in the 90% v/v CH3OH - 10% v/v 7 M HNO3 system.