Removal of impurities from scandium solutions by ion exchange

A process of removing impurities, such as Fe, Zr, Ti, Al, Si, from scandium solution by ion exchange was proposed. Various resins’ selectivity was studied in scandium chloride solution. The results indicated that D851 resin had high selectivity of Sc at low acidity, and high selectivity of Zr at high acidity; D370 resin had high selectivity of Fe and Si in high acidity. A new technical process of removing impurities from scandium chloride solution was proposed, which includes D370 resin adsorbing Fe in high acidity, D851 resin adsorbing Zr in medium acidity and D851 resin adsorbing Sc at low acidity. Flow experimental results show that removal rates of Al, Ca, Fe, Zr, Ti and Si, were 100%, 99.6%, 100%, 100%, 99.5% and 100% respectively.