SEPARATING THORIUM AND RARE EARTHS FROM FLUORIDE EXTRACTS

摘要

Thorium and rare earth values are separated from a fluoride concentrate thereof, by decomposing such concentrate with aqueous sodium hydroxide under conditions such that the amount of sodium hydroxide is at least 1.4 times the stoichiometric amount and the initial sodium hydroxide/water ratio in the medium of decomposition ranges from 1 to 40% by weight, whereby a precipitate of thorium hydroxide and rare earth hydroxides is produced, together with a solution of sodium fluoride, and then separating the NaF solution therefrom.