A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF DISSOLVED RARE EARTH/PRECIOUS METALS ELEMENTS/COMPOUNDS

摘要

A method for purification and separation of mixed elements, comprising at least a first free flow electrophoresis separation chamber, wherein a solution of the mixed elements is passed through the first separation chamber, an electric field submitted perpendicular to the solution flow and separating mobile ions of the solution based on electrophoretic mobility. A continuous method comprises selecting a complexing ligand, and controlling the temperature and pH of the solution. Also, a system or method for separating components of a multi-component concentrate comprising directing solution to at least a first and second channel each receiving part of the solution; each channel comprising a concentration section comprising a first transverse electric field across the channel, a fractionation section comprising a second electric field in a direction opposite the first electric field thereby distributing ions of the solution across the channel, and a flow splitter at an output of the fractionation section that divides the flow of each channel into subflows concentrated in heavier elements and concentrated in lighter elements.