scholarly journals Rare Earth Elements Recovery Using Selective Membranes via Extraction and Rejection

Membranes ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Atiyeh Bashiri ◽  
Arash Nikzad ◽  
Reza Maleki ◽  
Mohsen Asadnia ◽  
Amir Razmjou

Recently, demands for raw materials like rare earth elements (REEs) have increased considerably due to their high potential applications in modern industry. Additionally, REEs’ similar chemical and physical properties caused their separation to be difficult. Numerous strategies for REEs separation such as precipitation, adsorption and solvent extraction have been applied. However, these strategies have various disadvantages such as low selectivity and purity of desired elements, high cost, vast consumption of chemicals and creation of many pollutions due to remaining large amounts of acidic and alkaline wastes. Membrane separation technology (MST), as an environmentally friendly approach, has recently attracted much attention for the extraction of REEs. The separation of REEs by membranes usually occurs through three mechanisms: (1) complexation of REE ions with extractant that is embedded in the membrane matrix, (2) adsorption of REE ions on the surface created-active sites on the membrane and (3) the rejection of REE ions or REEs complex with organic materials from the membrane. In this review, we investigated the effect of these mechanisms on the selectivity and efficiency of the membrane separation process. Finally, potential directions for future studies were recommended at the end of the review.

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-483
Author(s):  
D. A. Elatontsev ◽  
A. P. Mukhachev ◽  
Yu. F. Korovin ◽  
N. D. Voloshin

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lassi Klemettinen ◽  
Riina Aromaa ◽  
Anna Dańczak ◽  
Hugh O’Brien ◽  
Pekka Taskinen ◽  
...  

The use of rare earth elements (REEs) is increasing, mainly due to the growing demand for electric vehicles and new applications in green technology. This results in annual growth of the in-use REE stocks and the amount of End-of-Life (EoL) products containing REEs. REEs are considered critical elements by the EU, mainly because the rest of the world is dependent on China’s supply. Recycling of REEs can help alleviate the criticality of REEs, however, no REEs are currently functionally recycled. In this study, the time-dependent behavior of REEs in copper matte-slag system in primary copper smelting conditions was investigated experimentally at a laboratory scale. Lanthanum and neodymium were chosen to represent all REEs, as they are generally found in the highest concentrations in EoL products, and because REEs all have similar chemical behavior. The experiments were conducted as a function of time in air and argon atmospheres. SEM-EDS, EPMA and LA-ICP-MS methods were used for sample characterization. The results of this work indicate that the REEs strongly favor the slag and the deportment to the slag begins almost instantly when the system reaches high temperatures. With increasing contact times, the REEs distribute even more strongly into the slag phase, where they may be recovered and recycled, if their concentrations are sufficiently high and a suitable hydrometallurgical process can be found.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 206-207
Author(s):  
Huifang Xu

Because of similar chemical properties of the rare earth elements (Ree), whole series of the Ree may occur in natural Ree-bearing crystals. Relative concentration of the Ree may vary as the crystallization environments change. Electron energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) associated with TEM is unable to resolve Ree and other coexistence elements, such as Ba nd Ti, because of peak overlap and energy resolution (∼ 150 eV) of EDS. Figure A indicate multiple peaks from Ce only. The Cu peaks are from Cu grid holding the specimen. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) with energy resolution of < 1 eV is able to resolve all Ree in natural Ree-bearing crystals.Natural carbonate crystals from a Ree ore deposit were investigated by using EELS associated with field emission-gun (FEG) TEM. The crystals are in a chemical series of BaCO3 - Ree(CO3)F [1]. In Figure B, EEL spectra A and B are from Ce-rich and La-rich bastnaesite (Ree(CO3)F), respectively; spectrum D is from cordylite (BaCO3 (Ree(CO3)F); spectrum E is from huanghoite (BaCO3 Ree(CO3)F), spectrum F is from BaCO3; spectrum C is from an unknown Ree-rich phase.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 03024
Author(s):  
Sergei Ivannikov ◽  
Evgeniy Shamrai ◽  
Andrey Taskin ◽  
Aleksandr Yudakov

The results of an investigation of ash and slag wastes (ASW) of enterprises of the energy sector of Primorsky Krai are presented. The averaged contents of the main elements and mineral complexes in Primorsky Krai are given. It is shown that the mineral composition of the ASW data makes it possible to separate the primary raw materials into fractions with different compositions. A scheme is proposed for dividing the initial ash extractors into separate mineral fractions by the particle size and by their physical properties. The predominant concentration of gold, platinum, rare earth elements (REE) and a number of other valuable components in the heavy non-magnetic fraction isolated from the primary ASW was detected. Almost complete absence of gold, noble metals and REE in underburning of coal, magnetic and micro-dispersed fractions of ASW has been demonstrated. A device was offered for complex processing of ash and slag wastes of enterprises of the power industry of Primorsky Krai, which makes it possible to divide the initial ASW into mineral fractions, being raw materials for various industries.


Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Brückner ◽  
Tobias Elwert ◽  
Thomas Schirmer

Rare earth-bearing gypsum tailings from the fertilizer industry are a potential source for an economically viable and sustainable production of rare earth elements. Large quantities are generated inter alia in Catalão, Brazil, as a by-product in a fertilizer production plant. Hitherto, the gypsum has been used as soil conditioner in agriculture or was dumped. The cooperative project, “Catalão Monazite: Economical exploitation of rare earth elements from monazite-bearing secondary raw materials,” intends to extract rare earth elements from these gypsum tailings. In this paper, a chemical process route to obtain a mixed rare earth carbonate from a monazite concentrate, was investigated. The results of the digestion, leaching, and precipitation experiments are presented and discussed herein. This includes reagent choice, process parameter optimization through experimental design, mineralogical characterization of the feed material and residues, purification of the leach solution, and precipitation of the rare earth as carbonates. The results showed that a rare earth extraction of about 90% without the mobilization of key impurities is possible during a sulfuric acid digestion with two heating stages and subsequent leaching with water. In the following purification step, the remaining impurities were precipitated with ammonium solution and the rare earth elements were successfully recovered as carbonates with a mixture of ammonium solution and ammonium bicarbonate.


2019 ◽  
Vol 108 ◽  
pp. 02011
Author(s):  
Karolina Kossakowska ◽  
Katarzyna Grzesik

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are identified as critical raw materials for the European Union economy. REEs are not currently produced in the EU, while there are several sources not properly addressed. Within the ENVIREE project tailings from New Kankberg (Sweden) and Covas (Portugal) were identified as rich in REEs and chosen for recovery processing. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was used to evaluate the environmental impact of REEs recovery. The aim of this study is the detailed analysis of several scenarios with different electricity production schemes of REE recovery. The study discusses the share of energy use in the overall impact on the environment, taking into account diversification in the electricity production structure among EU countries. The energy use is a significant contributor to the overall environmental impact of studied cases. Its share in the total environmental burden is reaching up to 47%. The results show that applying the average electricity scheme production for Europe may lead to biased LCA results. For the accurate LCA results the local production schemes of energy for certain countries should be chosen.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvar Soesoo ◽  
Kalle Kirsimäe

&lt;p&gt;Global phosphate demand is rising due to growing population and associated food demand. World consumption of P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt; is forecasted to increase to 46 million tonnes in&amp;#160;2020. Phosphate deposits and occurrences are widely distributed in Europe. However, very little phosphorus is produced in the EU to satisfy the growing demand for fertilizers. As a consequence, the European countries are net importers of phosphate, with an average of 4 M tonnes of natural phosphate-rich material imported per year. The European Commission has listed phosphates among critical raw materials with a significant supply risk. Other elements pertaining to this list can also be recovered from the phosphate deposits, as the rare earth elements (REE) and fluorspar (Goodenough et al., 2016). Estonia holds, the largest in Europe, unused sedimentary phosphate rock reserves, about 3 Billion metric tons (ca 819 Million metric tons of P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;; Bauert &amp; Soesoo, 2015). The Estonian shelly phosphate rocks are friable or weakly cemented bioclastic quartz sandstones deposited in shallow marine shoreface environment with a variable content of phosphatic brachiopod shells detritus. These sediments formed approximately 488 million years ago. The content of fossil shells ranges from 5&amp;#8211;10% to 80&amp;#8211;90 vol%. Brachiopod shells and enriched detritus contain up to 35&amp;#8211;37% P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;. Recent studies have revealed relatively enriched but variable content of REEs in these phosphate shells. For example, La in single shells ranges 50 to 550 ppm, Ce &amp;#8211; 40&amp;#8211;1200 ppm, Pr - 4&amp;#8211;170 ppm, Nd &amp;#8211; 20&amp;#8211;800 ppm, Sm &amp;#8211; 3&amp;#8211;180 ppm, Gd &amp;#8211; 4&amp;#8211;135 ppm. The total REEs can reach 3000 ppm, however, in average they are ranging between 1000 and 2000 ppm. &amp;#160;At the moment the Estonian phosphorites cannot regarded as an economic REE source, but considering REEs as a co-product of phosphorous production, it may economically be feasible. Large variability in REE concentrations results probably from post-depositional diagenetic processes but its geological controls need further study. Although the raw ore enrichment (separating shells from sandstone) and phosphorous extraction are technologically easy, the technology for REE extraction in parallel with the phosphorous acid production needs further developments. Relying on the vast phosphorite reserves in Estonia, the critical nature of both the phosphorus and REEs for the European economy and security, it may be a worthwhile opportunity to develop these resources into production at the European scale.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;REFERENCES&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;Goodenough, J. Schilling, E. Jonsson, P. Kalvig, N. Charle, F. Tuduri, E. Deady, M. Sadeghi, H. Schiellerup, A. M&amp;#252;ller, B. Bertrand, N. Arvanitidis, D. Eliopoulos, R. Shaw, K. Thrane, N. Keulen. Europe's rare earth element resource potential: An overview of REE metallogenetic provinces and their geodynamic setting. Ore Geology Reviews, 72, 838-856 (2016).&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Bauert, A. Soesoo. Shelly phosphate rocks of Estonia, in Strategic raw materials of Estonia, Rakvere Conference, Rakvere, Estonia, (2015).&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ol&gt;


2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 1346-1346 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Auerbach ◽  
K. Bokelmann ◽  
R. Stauber ◽  
S. Schnell ◽  
S. Ratering

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Castro ◽  
M. Luisa Blázquez ◽  
Felisa González ◽  
Jesús A. Muñoz

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical raw materials and are attracting interest because of their applications in novel technologies and green economy. Biohydrometallurgy has been used to extract other base metals; however, bioleaching studies of REE mineral extraction from mineral ores and wastes are yet in their infancy. Mineral ores have been treated with a variety of microorganisms. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganims are particularly relevant in the bioleaching of monazite because transform insoluble phosphate into more soluble form which directly and/or indirectly contributes to their metabolism. The increase of wastes containing REEs turns them into an important alternative source. The application of bioleaching techniques to the treatment of solid wastes might contribute to the conversion towards a more sustainable and environmental friendly economy minimizing the amount of tailings or residues that exert a harmful impact on the environment.


Author(s):  
V. Mykhailov ◽  
M. Kurilo ◽  
S. Kosharna

Changes in the priority areas of financing in the field of subsurface use and their widespread reorientation to the search for alternative sources of raw materials which could ensure the development of modern high-tech industries are the promising direction for the country's growth in sustainable development conditions and Green Energy Transition. And at the moment the only resource that can ensure safe progress in the future and plays an important role in today's technological development is rare earth elements (REE). Within the framework of this study information on the current state of awareness about the REE mining prospects in Ukraine was analyzed and generalized; the systematization and updating of available data on quantitative and qualitative REE ore occurrences and deposits characteristics and their geological and industrial parameters was done; the main obstacles / barriers to the active mining development on these objects of potential extraction were identified. The obtained ranking results of domestic deposits and REE manifestations prove the expediency of investing in geological exploration and mining operations conducted in certain areas, which are identified as the most attractive for further industrial development and generally emphasize the prospects of the studied area and justify the need in intensification of selected rare earth objects field development.


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