Magnetic Separation Method for Isolating Rare-Earth Elements and Zirconium from Molten Salts

— The use of magnetic fields in nonaqueous spent nuclear fuel treatment processes involving molten salts opens up new possibilities for selective extraction of radionuclides. In this research, this approach has been applied to the selective extraction of rare-earth elements and zirconium. We have studied strontium hexaferrite and a spinel ferrite as a magnetic carrier, examined the feasibility of utilizing it alkali chloride melts, and analyzed the effect of process conditions (temperature, holding time, and Zr content) on the effectiveness of Nd and Zr extraction by magnetic separation.