Production of mixed rare earth oxide powder from a thorium containing complex Bastnasite ore

Abstract

The production of mixed rare earth oxide powder from a thorium containing bastnasite ore by sulfuric acid bake water leaching followed by precipitation with oxalic acid and thermal decomposition of the oxalates was investigated. The sulfuric acid baking was performed at 250 degrees C and the optimum baking time was found to be 3 h. Using deionized water as lixiviant, 92.6% La, 86.8% Ce, 86.9% Pr, 82.3% Nd, 95.4% Th and 31% Y were dissolved from the baked ore at 25 degrees C after 30 min of leaching. The effect of solid-to-liquid ratio on the dissolution of the rare earth elements and thorium shows that when the solid ratio in the water increased from 1:10 to 1:3, the dissolution percentage decreased. The final mixed rare earth oxide powder contained 88.54% REO and 6% ThO20 together with small amounts of other impurities. The SEM mapping results revealed that the produced REO has an irregular crystal shape. Based on the experimental results obtained from the current study, a flowsheet was proposed for the production of mixed rare earth oxide powder from a specific complex bastnasite ore. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.