SELECTIVE SEPARATION OF YTTRIUM IONS FROM OTHER RARE-EARTH IONS USING NONEQUILIBRIUM EXTRACTION

An advanced new method for the separation of yttrium ions from other rare earth ions using nonequilibrium extraction in the DTPA-B2EHPA system has been demonstrated. The extraction stages for obtaining yttrium oxide of 99.9% purity from yttrium oxide of 60% purity as a starting material were estimated to be about fifteen, which was the smallest value ever obtained, compared with the usual method (50-100 stages). The mechanism of the extraction reaction is discussed.