Mass transfer features of the rotation disc column with the asymmetric configuration in relation to lanthanum metal removal from dilute solutions in the extraction and stripping stages

Abstract

One of the significant characteristics in the process of extracting rare earth metals is the selection of the appropriate equipment so that it can reach the maximum extraction efficiency in a short time with the fewer number of stages. In the framework of achieving knowledge of rare-earth metals, removal of lanthanum ions in two stages of extraction and stripping was investigated with a rotation disc column with asymmetric configuration. The target parameter in this study was the coefficient of mass transfer in the aqueous phase. The optimization of its values and the identification of effective parameters on it was performed by using the central composite design approach. The results of the studies described that the mass transfer of La(III) ions depends on the process stage. The amount of metal transfer in the stripping stage with the complex breakage is more accessible than in the extraction stage. The impacts and interaction of operational parameters appear to increase or decrease mass transfer, but agitation speed is a significant parameter that exerts more control and can improve the performance of the column to an optimal level. The results indicated the applicability of the column with high desirability in the removal of rare earth elements.