Scientific substantiation and development of innovative processes for the extraction of zirconium and rare earth elements in the deep and comprehensive treatment of eudialyte concentrate

Abstract

Based on a package of modern analysis methods, the influence of various acids and energy effects on the morphology, elemental composition, structural and chemical transformations of the mineral surface, and the efficiency of eudialyte concentrate leaching was studied. The mechanism and the optimal conditions and specific features of the destruction of eudialyte and rock minerals and the extraction of zirconium and REE under the influence of various acids, powerful nanosecond pulses, dielectric barrier discharge, electrochemical processing, mechanochemical activation and ultrasound were revealed. The mechanism of formation and the optimal conditions for the dispersion of silica gel, depending on the methods and parameters of energy effects, was theoretically and experimentally substantiated. A combined three-stage circuit of nitric acid leaching of eudialyte concentrate with ultrasonic treatment of the suspension, providing 97.1 % extraction of zirconium and 94.5 % REE, were scientifically substantiated and tested. The conditions for the selective deposition of zirconium and REE were theoretically and experimentally substantiated.