METHOD OF EXTRACTING RARE-EARTH METALS (REM) FROM PHOSPHOGYPSUM Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC C22B59/00 C22B3/08 C22B3/44 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: proposed method comprises REM and phosphorus leeching by sulfuric acid solution to obtain leaching solution and insoluble residue. Said insoluble solution is processed by calcium compound to pH over 5. PEM concentrate is extracted from said solution by crystallisation and fed to REM and phosphorus leaching stage. Prior to leaching phosphogypsum is subjected to flushing with water to obtain flushing solution containing REM and phosphorus. Said insoluble residue is flushed before processing by calcium compound. Obtained flushing solution is processed by calcium compound to produce pulp with pH not over that of REM phosphate precipitation beginning and combied with said flushing solution. REM is sorbed by cation exchangers and separated to desorb REM therefrom to produce desorbent and recovered cation exchanger. Said recovered cation exchanger is sent to REM sorption while desorbent is sent to REM concentrate production stage. Phosphorus and associated impurities are deposited from sorption mother pulp. Obtained pulp is separated in residue to be recovered and water phase to be used as circulating water.

EFFECT: higher efficiency lower loses.

12 cl, 1 dwg, 3 ex