METHOD FOR ION EXCHANGE AND SEPARATION OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM

摘要

PURPOSE:To efficiently separate and recover sodium and potassium in high purity by subjecting an aqueous solution containing sodium and potassium to selective ion exchange of sodium with potassium using a specific titania hydrate, then desorbing and separating sodium and potassium. CONSTITUTION:Metals of sodium and potassium are separated from an aqueous solution containing the aforementioned metals. In the process, sodium and potassium are subjected to selective ion exchange using a titania hydrate (TiO2.nH2O; n is 1-2) obtained by carrying out potassium removing treatment of potassium titanate and reacted at 25-80 deg.C to desorb and highly purify sodium and potassium. The aforementioned potassium titanate is obtained by melting and cooling a raw material mixture containing at least TiO2 and K2O or K2CO3. The above- mentioned potassium titanate may be any of powdery, granular or fibrous substances if they are crystalline. A fibrous substance is preferred in aspects of easy handling. K2MoO4 is added to the raw material mixture in order to provide the fibrous substance.