PURIFICATION PROCESS FOR AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF RARE EARTH SALTS THROUGH LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION

摘要

The subject of the present invention is a process for the purification of aqueous nitric solutions of rare earths containing inter alia alkaline earth cations by liquid-liquid extraction. This process of the invention is characterized in that the alkaline earth cations are eliminated by liquid-liquid extraction between an aqueous nitric phase of rare earths containing the alkaline earth cations and an organic phase constituted by at least one solvating agent of the polyether type. . Said method applies very particularly well to the removal of calcium, barium and radium contained in aqueous nitric solutions of rare earths.