Yttrium Purification via Temperature-Driven Phase Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and difficulty in purifying rare earth elements, such as yttrium, due to their low density distribution and low enrichment ratios in the Earth's crust, make existing methods inefficient and costly, necessitating a cost-effective method for producing high-purity yttrium.
Innovation Solution
A method involving high-temperature saturated dissolution, low-temperature recrystallization, high-temperature reduction, and vaporization-based removal of impurities, specifically using nitric acid to produce a saturated yttrium nitrate solution, followed by heating in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere to reduce yttrium to a metallic state and then vaporizing impurities at a high temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used for rare earth elements, then purification can be achieved, but the process is complex and costly due to low density distribution and low enrichment ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes temperature parameter changes to achieve purification. By dissolving yttrium oxide in nitric acid at elevated temperatures and then cooling the solution, the patent achieves selective crystallization of yttrium nitrate, separating it from impurities. This temperature-based parameter change simplifies the purification process while achieving high purity yttrium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions of yttrium nitrate between solid and solution states. The process involves heating to dissolve yttrium oxide and form a saturated solution, then cooling to induce crystallization of pure yttrium nitrate. This phase transition-based separation effectively removes impurities without requiring complex equipment.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used for rare earth elements, then purification can be achieved, but the cost is very high due to low enrichment ratios and difficult separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature parameter changes to achieve purification. By dissolving yttrium oxide in nitric acid at elevated temperatures and then cooling the solution, the patent achieves selective crystallization of yttrium nitrate, separating it from impurities. This temperature-based parameter change simplifies the purification process while achieving high purity yttrium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions of yttrium nitrate between solid and solution states. The process involves heating to dissolve yttrium oxide and form a saturated solution, then cooling to induce crystallization of pure yttrium nitrate. This phase transition-based separation effectively removes impurities without requiring complex equipment.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used for rare earth elements, then purification can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature parameter changes to achieve purification. By dissolving yttrium oxide in nitric acid at elevated temperatures and then cooling the solution, the patent achieves selective crystallization of yttrium nitrate, separating it from impurities. This temperature-based parameter change simplifies the purification process while achieving high purity yttrium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions of yttrium nitrate between solid and solution states. The process involves heating to dissolve yttrium oxide and form a saturated solution, then cooling to induce crystallization of pure yttrium nitrate. This phase transition-based separation effectively removes impurities without requiring complex equipment.
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
This method effectively increases the purity of yttrium while minimizing contamination and equipment costs, with the process being simple and efficient, reducing the need for complex equipment and waste treatment, and achieving high-purity yttrium production.
Implementation Method 1
introducing excessive yttrium oxide into nitric acid to be heated up to a first temperature and stirred, followed by filtering out minute precipitate to produce saturated yttrium nitrate solution
Implementation Method 2
cooling the saturated yttrium nitrate solution down to a second temperature, keeping the saturated yttrium nitrate solution at the second temperature for a first duration to produce solid precipitate of yttrium nitrate from the saturated yttrium nitrate solution
Implementation Method 3
heating up the first yttrium nitrate solid in an atmosphere which manifests fluidity and contains hydrogen gas to a third temperature, followed by keeping the first yttrium nitrate solid at the third temperature for a second duration to reduce yttrium contained in the first yttrium nitrate solid to a metallic state
Implementation Method 4
changing the temperature of the liquid yttrium to a fourth temperature, followed by keeping the liquid yttrium at the fourth temperature for a third duration to evaporate and effuse an impurity otherwise contained in the liquid yttrium
Data Source
AI summary
A method of purifying yttrium involves purifying element yttrium by high-temperature saturated dissolution, low-temperature recrystallization, high-temperature reduction and vaporization-based removal of impurities, in a simple manner, and at a low cost, such that yttrium element is unlikely to be contaminated by any raw material used in a manufacturing process.