Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
The fate of Fe, Co, Y, and Ce impurities is determined in the process of recrystallization of zirconium oxychloride and in its subsequent fluorination with aqueous hydrofluoric acid to ZrF4 · H2O. Techniques of gamma ray spectrometry were used to follow radioisotopes introduced at critical steps in the process. All impurities remained in the recrystallization liquor. The liquor and its associated impurities, which is retained on the crystals, can be displaced by acid washing. In fluorination, Fe and Co are rejected while Y and Ce are retained and cannot be removed by washing.