JSC “Giredmet”, Moscow, Russia:

A. A. Gasanov, Head of Department of Especially Pure Substances, Rare and Rare-Earth Metals
V. V. Apanasenko, Head of Laboratory of Rare-Earth Metals and Compounds Separation Technology, e-mail: VVApanasenko@giredmet.ru
O. V. Yurasova, Head of Laboratory of Especially Pure Substances Obtaining Technology

LLC “Laboratory of Innovation Technologies”, Yubileyny, Moscow Region, Russia:

A. A. Semenov, Leading Engineer

Complete counter-current extraction cascade for hydrometallurgical separation and metal purification may be successfully calculated in Excel (Microsoft Office) of similar programs. This minimizes the calculation time, makes the calculation of big amount of extraction process types easier and helps the choice of optimal method for its realization. Calculation of extraction unit was shown on example of neodymium and samarium separation by tributyl phosphate in complete counter-current process with the return of better-extracted component (samarium) part. The calculation was carried out taking into account the hypothesis that neodymium and samarium distribution coefficients are constant on all stages of extraction part of the cascade, and Sm/Nd separation coefficient is not changed in extraction and washing parts of the cascade. The process includes the exchange washing. During the calculation scheme design in Excel, the better stability of the program operation requires the possible avoiding the interactive calculations, or their minimization. Excel may be also used for the definition of the required amount of separation stages and for balance calculations of extraction process for another types of counter-current extraction cascade: the ones with constant distribution coefficients of the components in extraction and washing parts, and with linear isotherms of extraction and regulation of distribution coefficients in the washing part of the cascade.

This work was carried out within the Agreement 14.579.21.0049 with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation; unique identifier of the project is RFMEFI57914X0049.

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