Extraction of macro- and microamounts of lanthanides by D2EHPA

The effect of macroconcentration (Ma) lanthanide extraction on the microcomponent (Mi) extraction by D2EHPA was investigated. The investigation corroborated that the macrocomponent suppresses the microcomponent extraction. The extractability of Mi decreases with increasing Ma concentration and with increasing proton lanthanide number in macroconcentrations. Semi-empirical relations were derived describing lanthanide extraction in lanthanide macro- and microconcentrations as a function of the extraction of lanthanide macroconcentrations. Under the conditions discussed, these relations can be used to estimate for any lanthanide the distribution ratios for the lanthanide applied as a macrocomponent and for Eu applied as a microcomponent.