Exchange process of rare earth ion with NaY zeolite cake column

The exchange process of NaY zeolite with rare earth ion through a zeolite cake column was studied. The exchange degree of rare earth ion through cake column process was higher than that through batch process. NaY zeolite of certain exchange degree and well-distributed of rare earth ion on zeolite was obtained by controlling the normal ratio of rare earth ion to NH₄⁺ in the exchange solution. The effect of temperature on the exchange degree of rare earth ion exchanged with mixed rare earth and NH₄⁺ was higher than that exchanged with mixed rare earth ion, and the exchange degree could be altered by adjusting the normal ratio of rare earth ion to NH₄⁺ in the exchange solution. The Na⁺, rare earth ions and Cl^- remained on the zeolite cake were washed out by using three times as much deionized water as the zeolite amount.