Dy Tb Separation via Vacuum Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating Dy and Tb from alloys containing these heavy rare earth elements require large-scale equipment and significant amounts of solvents, making them inefficient and costly, especially when dealing with mixtures from R—Fe—B based permanent magnets.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heat treatment under specific pressure and temperature conditions to vaporize Dy while keeping Tb in a solid state, utilizing the difference in vapor pressures between the two elements, allowing for their separation without the need for solvent extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If solvent extraction method is used to separate Dy and Tb from alloy, then separation can be achieved, but large scale equipment and large amount of extractant or organic solvent are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the separation mechanism from chemical extraction to physical vaporization by controlling temperature and pressure parameters. By heating the alloy to specific temperatures (1000-1500°C) under vacuum conditions (10^-3 to 10^-6 Pa), Dy selectively vaporizes while Tb remains in the solid state, achieving separation without complex extraction equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the difference in vaporization temperatures between Dy and Tb. Dy vaporizes at lower temperatures compared to Tb when under vacuum conditions. This phase transition difference allows selective vaporization of Dy from the alloy, separating it from Tb without requiring solvent extraction equipment
2Manufacturing precision
If solvent extraction method is used to separate Dy and Tb from alloy, then separation can be achieved, but large amount of extractant or organic solvent is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical solvent extraction system with a physical vacuum vaporization system. By applying vacuum and heat, Dy selectively vaporizes from the alloy and can be condensed and collected, eliminating the need for large amounts of organic solvents and extractants while achieving the same separation purpose
3Productivity
If heat treatment temperature is increased to vaporize Dy, then separation efficiency improves, but Tb may also vaporize reducing separation purity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses vacuum environment (10^-3 to 10^-6 Pa) as the inert atmosphere to enable selective vaporization. The vacuum conditions lower the vaporization temperature requirements and create a pressure differential that allows Dy to vaporize selectively at 1000-1500°C while preventing Tb from vaporizing, thus maintaining high separation purity while achieving efficient vaporization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively separates Dy and Tb from alloys, achieving high purity and efficiency, with Dy vaporization rates allowing for significant reduction in equipment and solvent requirements, thus reducing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
vaporizing Dy by subjecting the alloy to a heat treatment in an atmosphere of a pressure Pt(Pa) that, when a Dy—Tb composition in the alloy is DyxTby (atomic composition ratio) and a heat treatment temperature is t, satisfies formula 1: Pt＜PbDy×(x/(x+y)), wherein PbDy is a vapor pressure (Pa) of Dy alone at the temperature t
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the alloy to a heat treatment in an atmosphere of a pressure Pt(Pa) that, when a Dy—Tb composition in the alloy is DyxTby (atomic composition ratio) and a heat treatment temperature is t
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for separating Dy and Tb from an alloy containing Dy and Tb as constitutional metals without using a solvent extraction method. The method of the present invention as a means for resolution is characterized by comprising vaporizing Dy by subjecting the alloy to a heat treatment in an atmosphere of a pressure Pt(Pa) that, when a Dy—Tb composition in the alloy is DyxTby (atomic composition ratio) and a heat treatment temperature is t, satisfies formula 1: PtTb<Pt<PtDy×(x/(x+y)), wherein PtDy is a vapor pressure (Pa) of Dy alone at the temperature t and PtTb is a vapor pressure (Pa) of Tb alone at the temperature t.