Rare Metal Extraction by Chemical Engineering Techniques

Book excerpt: Rare Metal Extraction by Chemical Engineering Techniques describes the use of chemical engineering techniques in the extraction and purification of rare metals such as uranium, thorium, and zirconium as well as hafnium, titanium, beryllium, and vanadium. The various chemical extraction stages from ore to metal are discussed. Comprised of nine chapters, this book begins with an examination of ore breakdown processes including dilute acid leaching and the breakdown of concentrated acids, alkalis, and fluorides as well as chlorination. The reader is then introduced to ion-exchange purification; solvent extraction; and dryway conversion processes. Subsequent chapters focus on metal production by high-temperature reduction techniques; molten salt electrolytic processes; and iodide decomposition processes. The final chapter includes a selection of complete flowsheets for the extraction and purification rare metals from ores. This monograph will be of value to metallurgists, chemical engineers, chemists, and others who are interested in the extraction of rare metals.