Extraction and Separation of Nano-Sized Zirconia from Nitrate medium using Cyanex921

Zirconium nitrate solution obtained from alkali fusion of Egyptian Rosetta zircon concentrate was subjected to zirconium extraction using liquid-liquid extraction technique. Zirconium was effectively extracted from nitrate medium using 6% Cyanex921 dissolved in kerosene as diluent. The relevant factors controlling the extraction process of zirconium using Cyanex921 were studied. These factors include Cyanex921 concentration, A:O phase ratio, contact time and diluent type. More than 99.6% of Zr was extracted by 6% Cyanex921 at contact time 10 minutes, phase ratio O:A (v:v) 2:1 and the diluent was kerosene. Third phase formation was studied and dissolving it by using decanol as modifier was also done. Stripping of zirconium from loaded Cyanex921 has been carried out using 4M H2SO4 as an effective stripping agent. The feasibility of using Cyanex921 for separation of zirconium was assisted by stripping studies. The loaded zirconium onto Cyanex921 has been stripped by stripping efficiency 94.18% when using 4M H2SO4 as an efficient eluting agent at 10 minutes contact time and phase ratio O:A (v:v) 1:1.