A kinetic study on solvent extraction of samarium from nitrate solution with D2EHPA and Cyanex 301 by the single drop technique

• The effect of operating parameters on the samarium extraction rate was investigated.
• The rate equations were determined by single drop column method.
• The forward extraction rate of samarium with Cyanex 301 was lower than that of D2EHPA.
• The diffusion is the predominant mechanism at the droplet interface.

The reactive extraction of Sm(III) from aqueous nitrate solution with D2EHPA and Cyanex 301 in kerosene was investigated by single drop column method. Various parameters affecting the extraction process including the column height, nozzle diameter and concentration of extractant, hydrogen ions and Sm(III) were studied. The rate equations for the extraction of Sm(III) with two reagents were obtained on the basis of the slope analysis data. The rate of samarium extraction was found to be directly proportional to the concentration of Sm(III), D2EHPA and Cyanex 301 and inversely proportional to aqueous phase acidity. The extraction of Sm(III) increases with the increase in rising drop diameter and indicate that the extraction is mainly controlled by diffusion mechanism.The extraction rate of samarium with Cyanex 301 was lower than that of D2EHPA, therefore D2EHPA extractant provided faster extraction rate and it would be useful in industrial continuous extraction process.