Non-Dispersive Solvent Extraction of Neodymium using N,N,N’,N’-Tetraoctyl Diglycolamide (TODGA)

Abstract

Hollow fiber contactor was used to study non-dispersive extraction (NDSX) of Nd³⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) diluted with n-dodecane was used as the organic phase with di-n-hexyl octanamide (DHOA) as the phase modifier. The role of cations (H⁺/Na⁺) on the transport of Nd³⁺ ions has been investigated for this system. It was observed that H⁺ ion has a significant role to play in the Nd³⁺/TODGA complexation reaction. A mathematical model has also been developed to simulate the NDSX process in a hollow fiber contactor. A comparison has also been made between extraction profiles from the NDSX process and the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) process. It was observed that NDSX gave comparatively faster rates of extraction in the presence of H⁺ ions but slower in the absence of H⁺ ions.

• neodymium
• non-dispersive solvent extraction
• mathematical modeling
• hollow fiber
• TODGA