Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Separation of beryllium from aluminium

From a solution containing beryllium and aluminium, I want to selectively precipitate beryllium by ammonium hydroxide. Kindly suggest suitable complexing agent which will keep aluminium in solution during precipitation of beryllium

Datta Thorat
Student - Solapur, India
October 1, 2009

---

I tread carefully here, as a metallurgist pretending to be a chemist - maybe Dave Wichern will pick up this thread.

It's my understanding that the aluminium hydroxide that is initially precipitated as the pH is increased, will dissolve as an aluminate when the pH reaches a sufficiently high value. So no complexing agent is required.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
October 2, 2009

---

On further thought, you might need sodium hydroxide rather than ammonium hydroxide, to get the pH high enough.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
October 7, 2009