Separation of zirconium and hafnium by solvent extraction using mixture of TBP and Cyanex 923

In this study, a new Zr/Hf separation procedure by solvent extraction is proposed. The method is based on using the mixture of TBP and Cyanex 923 as extractant in the organic phase. Several parameters including: TBP/Cyanex 923 volume ratio, extractant concentration in the organic phase, nitric acid and NaNO3 concentration in aqueous phase have been investigated. The results demonstrate better condition respect to traditional TBP/HNO3 process. Lower required acid concentration and more zirconium extraction are some advantages of the new separation process. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.