Studies of sorption and separation processes of rare earth element complexes on the anion-exchanger Wofatit SBW in the CH3OH–HNO3 system

For the 90% v/v CH3OH–10% v/v 7 M HNO3 system the affinity series of nitrate complexes of rare earth elements(III) for the strongly basic anion-exchanger Wofatit SBW×4% DVB was determined. The effect of ammonium nitrate and polar organic solvent addition on the effectiveness of separation of the ion-exchanging pair Y(III)–Nd(III) on Wofatit SBW×4% DVB as well as that of macrocomponent (yttrium) concentration on the yield of the purification process on Wofatit SBW×6% DVB were investigated. The weight and bed distribution coefficients for individual rare earth elements(III) were determined. It was shown that the neodymium content in the purified yttrium(III) can be decreased from 1% to 10−3% under controlled conditions.