hafnium, page-2

mtm

I contacted Alkane some time ago about Ta and Hf. Ta is easier to separate and comes out in the primary filter cake. According to Mr. Chalmers, recovery of Ta could add another US$30-40M to the annual revenue from DZP.

Hf is being looked at and is more problematic as it is typically separated in the process of obtaining nuclear-grade Zr. Hf and Zr are elemental doppelgangers. Though chemically essentially identical they have completely disparate neutron absorption cross-sections. Zr is used in cladding for fuel rods because of low neutron absorption, Hf in control rods because of high absorption.

He feels there will be continued growth and opportunity in the Hf market and that Alkanes isolation process may provide some advantage in Hf recovery.

The article you linked sounds like an "exciting" possibility for LED's.