Abstract:Goethite method was applied to remove iron from solution of rare earth chloride. Effects of pH value, reaction temperature, aging time, feeding speed, and crystal seed addition on iron removal were studied. The results show that iron removal rate and rare earth loss rate is 99.44% and 3.40% respectively under the conditions including pH value of 3.5, reaction temperature of 85 ℃, aging time of 120 min, and feeding rate of 2.5 mL/min. Addition of 0.1 g seed results in partial or total secondary nucleation, which shortens or omits nucleation induction period. Compared with aging time without seed addition, aging time is shortened by 60 min, and the highest iron removal rate is 99.62%. The iron settling slag obtained by goethite method is β-FeOOH crystal with good crystal shape, and its filtration property is better than that of neutralization hydrolysis method. Goethite method to remove iron can be used in rare earth hydrometallurgy with good effect of iron removal.