On the extraction and separation of rare earth and aluminum in naphthenic acid system

At constant acidity of feed liquid, the effect of saponification values, the ratio of water and organic phase as well as extraction stages on the distribution ratio and separation coefficient of aluminium and rare earth in naphthenic acid system at the same acidity of feed liquid. The results show the ideal conditions of extracting rare earth and aluminium in naphthenic acid system were optimized as saponification value =0.25 mol/L, the ratio of organic and water phase =1.5. In the above conditions, ideal result can be obtained, DAl= 4.035，DRE = 0.111 and βAl/RE = 36.35. When extraction-stage is above 2, the aluminum removal rate reaches more than 95 %.