| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for extracting scandium from zirconium ore, a process in which zirconiferous sand is introduced into a chlorination plant in a fluidized bed, at around 1000 degree (s) C, to produce a vapor phase. , mainly containing zirconium and silicon chlorides, and a solid residue, and scandium is recovered from this residue. Despite the relatively low sublimation temperature of scandium chloride, the very small amount of scandium present in the zirconium ore is concentrated in the residue, which makes it economically feasible to recover scandium from the zirconium ore. In general, the process of the invention can be part of the production of metallic zirconium, scandium becoming a by-product of this production. Recovery is carried out for example by leaching the residue with an acid in aqueous solution to produce an aqueous solution containing scandium, which is brought into contact with an organic phase containing a polyalkyl phosphate, which causes the scandium to pass into the phase. organic by extraction; then the addition of ammonia gives a precipitate of scandium hydroxide which is calcined, which makes it possible to recover the scandium in the state of oxide. |