Dvbs. Pinto et Ah. Martins, Electrochemical elution of a cation-exchange polymeric resin for yttrium and rare earth recovery using a statistical approach, HYDROMETALL, 60(1), 2001, pp. 99-104
Electroelution of loaded polymeric resins immersed in aqueous solutions con
sists of the removal of metal ions adsorbed to the resin using an anode and
cathode set connected to a power supply of a regular electrolysis cell. Ex
perimental results for yttrium and rare earth recovery using electroelution
of a cation-exchange polymeric resin IR-120P (Rohm & Haas-USA) in chloride
medium are presented in this work. In yttrium and rare earth case, there w
as no metal deposition on the cathode. The resin was loaded with leach liqu
or from the metallurgical processing of a Brazilian xenotime ore. The optim
um experimental conditions determined by statistical procedures were 53 deg
reesC, 32.6 A m(-2) and 417 g L-1 HCl for maximum yttrium recovery (22.5%)
while for maximum erbium elution (49%), they were 60 degreesC, 32.6 A m(-2)
and 417 g L-1 HCl. The maximum terbium (35.3%) and dysprosium (56%) recove
ry could be achieved at the following conditions: 52 degreesC, 1.08 A m(-2)
and HCl 403 g L-1. The chemical elution contribution to the elements' reco
very by electroelution was insignificant. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Al
l rights reserved.