Ultrasonic Characterization of Extractant for Rare Earth Elements

The most important application of rare earth element materials (REE) is in use as source of nuclear energy. Reprocessing consists of dissolution of spent nuclear fuel in acid medium and subsequent recovery of fissile materials and other materials by solvent extraction technique. The appearance of 'third phase' and its formation is one of the major problems encountered during extraction of rare earth elements materials. The treatment of suitable extractants and diluents with knowledge of their intermolecular interaction in the third phase is an important step in the extraction process. The extractant like methyl iso butyl ketone (MIBK) with diluents like toluene and kerosene has been undertaken for the study of third phase. The ultrasonic study has been done with binary mixture at temperature 303 K for different frequencies. The ultrasonic velocities, density, viscosity are measured experimentally. The different physico-acoustical parameters computed and explained in terms of molecular interaction. The variation of each parameter provides the optimum suitable blends of the mixture for extraction of REE materials. The efficiency of the extraction is calculated using Nernst distribution law. The result shows good extraction efficiency for blends of MIBK and toluene as compared to kerosene.