Mathematical modelling of neodymium, terbium and dysprosium solvent extraction from chloride media using methyl-tri(octyl/decyl)ammonium oleate ionic liquid as extractant

- The model is able to reproduce the experimental data of Nd(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) single extraction.
- Speciation of the metals in chloride media and competitive extraction of HCl are taken into account.
- The model is able to predict the simultaneous extraction of Nd(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III).

This paper collects experimental data and mathematical modelling of Nd(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) solvent extraction with an ionic liquid prepared from Aliquat 336 (Methyl-tri(octyl/decyl)ammonium chloride) and Oleic Acid (AliOle). Extraction experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of chloride anion in aqueous phase, AliOle and REE concentrations over the extraction extension. Mathematical models computed with Matlab software were derived from the mass balances and chemical equilibria involved in the extraction system of Neodymium(III), Terbium(III) and Dysprosium(III) individually. The optimized equilibria parameters proposed fit accurately the experimental data and allowed us to predict the extraction extension of each metal from an aqueous mixture.