processes rare earth [0093] For example, the Ga-free solution can then be reacted with another an extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract cerium therefrom, thereby obtaining a Ce-free solution and an extracted cerium solution, and separating the solutions from one another. For example, the cerium in the Ga-free solution can be under the form of CeCI 3 . For example, the another extracting agent can be tri-butyl phosphate, di-isoamylmethyl phosphonate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid, 7-(4-ethyl-1-methyloctyl)-8- hydroxyquinoline or mixtures thereof. For example, the process can further comprise converting the extracted cerium into Ce0 2 . [0094] For example, the process can further comprise reacting the Ce-free solution with a further extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract scandium therefrom, thereby obtaining a Sc-free solution and an extracted scandium solution, and separating the solutions from one another. For example, scandium in the Ce-free solution can be under the form of ScCI 3 . For example, the further extracting agent can be di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphinic acid or a mixture thereof. For example, the process can further comprise converting the extracted scandium into SC2O3. For example the extracted scandium can be converted into Sc 2 0 3 by means of NaOH.
[0095] For example, the process can further comprise reacting the Sc-free solution with still a further extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract samarium, europium or a mixture thereof, thereby obtaining a Sm-free solution and/or Eu-free solution and extracted samarium and/or europium solution, and separating the solutions from one another. For example, the still a further extracting agent can be chosen from bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid and a mixture thereof.
[0096] For example, the process can further comprise reacting the Sm-free solution and/or Eu-free solution with still another extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract gadolinium, thereby obtaining a Gd-free solution and an extracted gadolinium solution, and separating the solutions from one another. For example, the still another extracting agent can be 8- hydroxyquinoline.
[0097] For example, the process can further comprise reacting the Gd-free solution with yet another extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract yttrium, thereby obtaining a Y-free solution and an extracted yttrium solution, and separating the solutions from one another. For example, the yet another extracting agent can be (2-ethylhexyl)phosphonic acid, di-(2- ethylhexyl)phosphonic acid or a mixture thereof.
[0098] For example, the process can further comprise reacting the Y-free solution with still yet another extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract dysprosium and/or erbium, thereby obtaining a Dy-free solution and/or an Er-free solution and an extracted dysprosium and/or erbium solution, and separating the solutions from one another.
[0099] According to another example, the liquor can be reacted with a first extracting agent in order to substantially selectively extract gallium therefrom, thereby obtaining a Ga-free solution and an extracted gallium solution, and separating the solutions from one another.
[00100] For example, gallium in the liquor can be under the form of GaCI 3 . For example, the first extracting agent can be tri-butyl phosphate optionally in kerosene.
[00101] For example, the Ga-free solution can be reacted with a precipitating agent for precipitating at least one rare earth element present in the Ga-free solution, thereby obtaining a precipitate containing the at least one rare earth element and recovering the precipitate via a solid-liquid separation.
[00102] For example, the process can further comprise leaching the precipitate with an acid so as to obtain a leach solution comprising the at least one rare earth element. For example the acid can be HCI. For example, the leach solution can be reacted with a second extracting agent so as to substantially selectively extract a first group of rare earth elements, thereby obtaining a solution comprising the extracted rare earth elements of the first group and a raffinate comprising a second group of rare earth elements, and separating the solution from the raffinate. For example, the first group can comprise yttrium and scandium. For example, the second group can comprise cerium, neodynium, europium and praseodymium. For example, the second extracting agent can be chosen from di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and 2- ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester.
[00103] For example, the process can further comprise reacting the solution comprising the extracted rare earth elements of the first group with HCI at least once so as to remove impurities therefrom. [00104] For example, the process can further comprise stripping the solution comprising the extracted rare earth elements of the first group with an acid so as to obtain a first group strip liquor. For example, the acid can be HCI.
[00105] For example, the process can further comprise repeating at least once the extraction with the second extracting agent.
[00106] For example, the first group strip liquor can be reacted with a third extracting agent so as to substantially selectively extracting at least one of scandium, erbium and dysprosium from the first group strip liquor, thereby obtaining a solution comprising the extracted at least one of scandium, erbium and dysprosium, and an yttrium raffinate, and separating the solution from the raffinate. For example, the third extracting agent can be tri-butyl phosphate.
[00107] For example, the process can further comprise stripping the solution comprising the extracted at least one of scandium, erbium and dysprosium solution with an acid so as to obtain another first group strip liquor. For example, the acid can be HCI.
[00108] For example, the another first group strip liquor can be reacted with a fourth extracting agent so as to substantially selectively extracting erbium and dysprosium from the another first group strip liquor, thereby obtaining a solution comprising the extracted erbium and dysprosium, and a scandium raffinate, and separating the solution from the raffinate.
[00109] For example, the another first group strip liquor can be reacted with a fourth extracting agent so as to substantially selectively extracting scandium from the another first group strip liquor, thereby obtaining a solution comprising the extracted scandium, and raffinate comprising erbium dand dysprosium, and separating the solution from the raffinate.
[00110] For example, the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively precipitated, extracted and/or isolated by means of an adsorption on activated charcoal optionally modified with tributyl phosphate or on a polyurethane polyether foam (PUF). [00111] For example, the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively removed by means of a liquid-liquid extraction. For example, the liquid-liquid extraction can be carried out by using an extracting agent.
[00112] For example, the process can comprise selectively precipitating at least two members chosen from the at least one rare earth element that is in the form of ions, the at least one iron ion and the at least one iron ion aluminum ion. For example, each of the members can be precipitated separately or together.
[00113] According to another example, the processes can comprise : leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain the leachate comprising the at least one aluminum ion, the at least one iron ion, and the at least one rare earth element, and the solid and separating the leachate from the solid; substantially selectively removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate, thereby obtaining a composition comprising the at least one aluminum ion, and the at least one rare earth element; and substantially selectively at least partially removing the at least one aluminum ion from the composition, thereby obtaining a liquor comprising the at least one rare earth element.
[00114] According to another example, the processes can comprise . leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain the leachate comprising the at least one aluminum ion, the at least one iron ion, and the at least one rare earth element, and the solid and separating the leachate from the solid; substantially selectively removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate, thereby obtaining a composition comprising the at least one aluminum ion, and the at least one rare earth element; and substantially selectively at least partially removing the at least one aluminum ion from the composition, thereby obtaining a liquor comprising the at least one rare earth element.
[00115] According to another example, the leaching can be carried out at a pH of about 0.5 to about 2.5., then the at least one iron can be precipitated at a pH of at least about 9.5, then the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 8 to about 9, and then at least one scandium ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 7 to about 8.
[00116] According to another example, the leaching can be carried out at a pH of about 0.5 to about 1.5., then the at least one iron can be precipitated at a pH of at least about 10.5, then the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 8 to about 9, and then at least one scandium ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 7 to about 8.
[00117] According to another example, the leaching can be carried out at a pH of about 0.5 to about 1.5., then the at least one iron can be precipitated at a pH of at least about 1 1 , then the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 8 to about 9, and then at least one scandium ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 7 to about 8.
[00118] For example, scandium can be precipitated from a by-product generated during the process.
[00119] For example, scandium can be precipitated from a solution generated during the process. For example, scandium can be precipitated using HN0 3 .
[00120] For example, the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively precipitated, extracted and/or isolated by at least one technique chosen from ion exchange resin, extraction by means of solvent(s) and adsorption.
[00121] For example, the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively precipitated, extracted and/or isolated by means of an ion exchange resin.
[00122] For example, the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively precipitated, extracted and/or isolated by means of a liquid-liquid extraction.
[00123] For example, the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively precipitated, extracted and/or isolated by means of an electrowinning process.
[00124] According to another example, the leaching can be carried out at a pH of about 0.5 to about 2.5., then the at least one iron can be precipitated at a pH of at least about 9.5, then the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 8 to about 9, and then and then the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively extracted.
[00125] According to another example, the leaching can be carried out at a pH of about 0.5 to about 1.5., then the at least one iron can be precipitated at a pH of at least about 10.5, then the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 8 to about 9, and then the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively extracted.
[00126] According to another example, the leaching can be carried out at a pH of about 0.5 to about 1.5., then the at least one iron can be precipitated at a pH of at least about 11 , then the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated at a pH of about 8 to about 9, and then the at least one rare earth element can be substantially selectively extracted.
[00127] For example, the aluminum-bearing material / acid ratio can be about 1 / 10 in weight by volume. [00128] According to another example, the processes can further comprise at least one of at least partially removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate by substantially complexing the at least one iron ion with an extracting agent; selectively precipitating the at least one iron ion; selectively precipitating the at least one aluminum ion; and at least partially removing the at least one aluminum ion from the leachate by substantially complexing the at least one aluminum ion with another extracting agent.
[00129] According to another example, the processes comprise : leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate and a solid residue, and separating the leachate from the solid residue; at least partially removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate by substantially selectively precipitating the at least one iron ion by reacting the leachate with a base so as to obtain an Al-rich aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare element and a precipitate, and removing the precipitate from the composition; purifying the Al-rich aqueous composition by substantially selectively precipitating the at least one aluminum ion, thereby obtaining another composition comprising the at least one rare element and another precipitate, removing the precipitate from the composition; and substantially selectively extracting the at least one rare element from the another composition.
[00130] According to another example, the processes can comprise : leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate and a solid residue, and separating the leachate from the solid residue, at least partially removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate by substantially selectively precipitating the at least one iron ion by reacting the leachate with a base so as to obtain an Al-rich aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare element and a precipitate, and removing the precipitate from the composition; substantially selectively extracting the at least one aluminum ion from the Al-rich aqueous composition by means of a hollow fiber membrane, or by a liquid-liquid extraction, and removing the extracted at least one aluminum ion, thereby obtaining an Al-depleted aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare element; and substantially selectively extracting the at least one rare element from the Al-depleted aqueous composition.
[00131] According to another example, the processes can comprise : leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate and a solid residue, and separating the leachate from the solid residue; at least partially removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate by substantially selectively complexing the at least one iron ion with an extracting agent so as to obtain an Al-rich aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare earth element; purifying the Al-rich aqueous composition by substantially selectively precipitating the at least one aluminum ion, thereby obtaining another composition comprising the at least one rare element and another precipitate, removing the precipitate from the composition; and substantially selectively extracting the at least one rare element from the another composition.
[00132] According to another example, the processes can comprise : leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate and a solid residue, and separating the leachate from the solid residue; at least partially removing the at least one iron ion from the leachate by substantially selectively complexing the at least one iron ion with an extracting agent so as to obtain an Al-rich aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare earth element; substantially selectively extracting the at least one aluminum ion from the Al-rich aqueous composition by means of a hollow fiber membrane, or by a liquid-liquid extraction, and removing the extracted at least one aluminum ion, thereby obtaining an Al-depleted aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare element; and substantially selectively extracting the at least one rare element from the Al-depleted aqueous composition.
[00133] According to another example, the processes can comprise : leaching the aluminum-bearing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate and a solid residue, and separating the leachate from the solid residue; at least partially removing the at least one aluminum ion from the leachate by substantially selectively precipitating the at least one aluminum so as to obtain an iron-rich aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare element and a precipitate, and removing the precipitate from the composition; substantially selectively precipitating the at least one iron ion from the iron-rich aqueous composition, and removing the precipitate therefrom, thereby obtaining thereby obtaining an iron-depleted aqueous composition comprising the at least one rare element; and substantially selectively extracting the at least one rare element from the iron-depleted aqueous composition.
[00134] For example, the at least one aluminum ion can be precipitated under the form of AICI 3 in a crystallizer, for example, by sparging gaseous HCI.
[00135] For example, the at least one iron ion can be precipitated under the form of Fe 2 0 3 by means, for example, of an hydrolysis.
[00136] For example, the Al-rich aqueous composition can be purified by complexing the at least one aluminum ion with an extracting agent so as to obtain a complex, separating the complex form the composition and precipitating the at least one aluminum ion.
[00137] For example, the Al-rich aqueous composition can be purified by complexing impurities contained in the Al-rich aqueous composition with an extracting agent, at least partially removing the complexed impurities from the composition and precipitating the aluminum ions.