Scandium sesquioxide

The scandium retained on the strong cationic resin is eluted quantitatively with 6 N HCl. In the process, the resin is regenerated by the strong acid and can be used again at undiminished capacity. The scandium is then precipitated by the addition of saturated oxalic acid. The precipitate is filtered, washed, and converted to SC2O3 by calcination at elevated temperatures. The scandium recovery process is very efficient in that 99% of the Sc retained on the initial extraction column is recovered in the sesquioxide product. The overall recovery of the Sc present in the initial feed solution is determined solely by the point at which the extraction process is stopped. 

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