Characteristics and Performance of Cerium Extraction from Cerium Hydroxide Concentrate using Tri Butyl Phosphate

This study aims to develop a liquid-liquid equilibrium model to predict the Ce distribution in the extraction system based on experimental laboratory data. Extraction feed solution (Cehydroxide in nitric acid media) and solvent (Tri Butyl Phosphate (TBP) in kerosene diluent) with a volume ratio of 1:1 at various concentrations of feed and solvent were contacted using a mechanical shaker at 150 rpm for 15 minutes. The solution was settled for 30 minutes to separate the aqueous and organic phases. Cerium concentration in the aqueous phase was analyzed using XRF, while cerium concentration in the organic phase was calculated using a mass balance. The results showed that the extraction of Ce from the Ce-hydroxide concentrate was successfully carried out using TBP 0.92 M in kerosene diluent so that the Ce extraction efficiency of 70% was obtained. The equilibrium model that has been developed was able to represent the phenomenon of the liquid-liquid equilibrium distribution in the extraction system, which was carried out with an average relative error of 8.53%. Five stages of extraction unit need to apply to achieve 90% of extraction efficiency.