The Feasibility of Separation of Rare Earth Elements by Use of Electrodialysis

Abstract

The feasibility of the application of electrodialysisElectrodialysisin separationSeparationof light and heavy rare earth elements (REE)Rare earth elements (ree)in synthetic solutions was investigated. The experiments were carried out using single and binary solutions of a light (cerium) and heavy (ytterbium) REE. The effects of electrical voltage, electrical current, and the addition of complexing agentComplexing agent(EDTAEdta) to increase the separationSeparationselectivitySelectivitywere investigated. SeparationSeparationof Ce and Yb was achieved in binary solutions with and without the addition of EDTAEdta. Higher degrees of separationSeparationwere seen at higher voltages. Ce--Yb separationSeparationwas more significant in the presence of EDTAEdta. The separationSeparationfactor of Ce--Yb and Ce--Yb-EDTAEdtawere 1.44 and 2.60, respectively.