Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

In this study, the separation of cerium from the bulk solution of rare earth elements was investigated in order to make raw materials of cerium compounds for recently higher demand among rare earths. Since sulfuric acid-leached solution of bastnasite ore performed oxidation contains fluocerate anion [CeF6]2-] and rare earth cations[Re3+], ion-sieve method with cation exchange resin and double salt precipitation with sodium sulfate were employed for separation of cerium. The optimal conditions of the ion-sieve method are found to be total concentration of rare earths of about 70g/ℓ, solution flow rate of 9.6ml/min and ratio of height to diamenter of the resin column above 9. On these conditions, cerium was recovered with recovery of 83% and higher than 96% purity. The optimal conditions of double salt precipitation are found to be concentration of TREO of 70g/ℓ in solution, two equivalent sodium sulfate to rare earths and 50℃. On these conditions, 83% of cerium was recovered with higher purity than 99.8%.