Production of highly purified zirconium oxide from zircon mineral leach liquor using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate as a promising extractant

Abstract In this manuscript, efficiency of the used organic solvent for recovering, separating and producing highly purified zirconium oxide from chloride leach liquor Rosetta white zircon concentrate was investigated. Zircon mineral thermally decomposed with caustic soda, cooled, washed distilled water then dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Zirconium extraction reached 91.4% using 10% bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate kerosene, 15 min contact time volume phase ratio O/A 1:1 after 3 stages. re-extraction 99.95% following optimum conditions 4 molL −1 H 2 SO as an effective stripping agent, O:A Finally, Zr (OH) precipitated presence absence O by NH OH solution, filtrated, rinsed double to remove any impurities several times dehydrated at 200 °C h. From XRF EDAX analysis produced is purer than that .