Comparative Study on NH3-SCR of High Entropy Mineral Catalytic Materials for Different Ratios of Rare Earth Concentrate/Rare Earth Tailing

A series of high-entropy mineral catalytic materials were obtained by mixing rare earth tailings containing Fe oxide and rare earth concentrate rich in Ce in Baiyun Obo in different proportions, and by acid-base leaching and microwave roasting. The effects of different proportions of mixed rare earth minerals on the denitrification activity of the samples were analyzed by various techniques, including XRD, EDS and SEM. The mineral phase structure and surface morphology of the catalysts were analyzed. The surface properties of the samples were tested by TPD and XPS methods. The denitrification activity of the sample was simultaneously evaluated and compared in the microreactor. The results show that the denitration efficiency of the active powder is the best when the mixing ratio of rare earth tailings/rare earth concentrate is 1:1, the denitration rate can reach 82%. In summary, different proportions of optimization are extremely effective methods to improve catalyst performance.

Prepare a catalyst consist of rare earth minerals to denitrate via NH3-SCR

To research the roles of rare earth minerals in denitrification via the NH3-SCR, a mixture was made by certain ratio of rare earth concentrates and rare earth tailings, then treated by microwave roasting, and acids and bases to form a denitrification catalyst. The mineral phase structure and surface morphology of the catalyst were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM and EDS. The surface properties of the catalyst were tested by TPD and XPS methods, and the denitrification activity of the catalyst was evaluated in a denitrification reactor. The results showed that the denitrification efficiency increased up to 82% with complete processing. XRD, BET, SEM, and EDS spectrum analysis stated that the treated minerals contained cerium oxides and Fe−Ce composite oxides. The surface of the modified minerals became rough and porous, the surface area increased, and the surface-active sites were exposed. The results of NH3-TPD and NO-TPD showed that the catalyst surface could gradually adsorb more NH3 and NO after each step. XPS analysis indicated that there were more Ce3+, Fe2+, and lattice oxygen in rare earth minerals catalyst after each treatment step.

Denitrification performance of rare earth tailings-based catalysts

Rare earth tailings from the Bayan Obo mine are rich in rare earth, iron, and other catalytically active substances. In this study, Na2CO3 and Ca(OH)2 were mixed with rare earth tailings, roasted, and the tailings modified by HCl-citric acid leaching and pickling to prepare high-performance rare earth tailings-based denitrification catalysts. Denitrification performance tests show that, in the temperature range 700°C~900°C, the alkali and acid co-processed modified tailings sample gave the best catalytic denitrification performance. XRD, SEM, and H2-TPR analyses show that, compared with raw ore samples, Fe activity sites increased after alkali and acid co-treatment. Cracks and holes appeared on the surface of the sample, and the reduction temperature range was broadened. XPS analysis showed that Fe coexisted in the forms Fe2+ and Fe3+, and Ce in the forms Ce3+ and Ce4+. At a rare earth tailings microwave roasting temperature of 500°C, NO concentration of 500 ppm, CO/NO ratio 4:1, and reaction temperature of 900°C, the denitrification efficiency of the catalyst was optimal, at up to 96.2%. In this study, a relatively green and pollution-free method was used to prepare catalysts, which can provide reference for solving the problem of rare earth tailings accumulation.

Effects of mycorrhizae and water conditions on perennial ryegrass growth in rare earth tailings

Mycorrhizal symbioses, which include plant roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), can significantly enhance plant resistance and promote the absorption of soil nutrients by plants.

Influence of alkaline additives on main minerals in Baotou rare earth tailings in the process of coal-based magnetizing roasting

The influence of NaOH-Ca(OH)2 on magnetizing roasting of iron minerals and on the decomposition reactions of rare earth minerals during coal-based magnetizing roasting is explored in the present work. The effect of alkaline additives was determined by means of SEM-EDS and X-ray diffraction methods in NaOH-Ca(OH)2-coal-tailings mixtures under optimal magnetizing roasting conditions (mass ratio of NaOH, Ca(OH)2, coal and tailings equal to 2.5: 4.5: 2.5: 100, roasting at 650 °C for 2.5 h). Although NaOH results in an adverse impact on magnetizing roasting of hematite, iron in silicate minerals could be released by NaOH-Ca(OH)2 additive as a form of hematite, which is further reduced to ferromagnetic magnetite. Moreover, the reduction ability of gas is improved in presence of coal and water from decomposition reaction of Ca(OH)2. Regarding the decomposition of bastanasite, no evident effect of NaOH-Ca(OH)2 is observed. The roasted products of pristine bastnasite particles are mainly composed of rare earth oxides (REO) with little fluorine, independent on the use of alkaline additives. No high purity REO were determined in the monazite particle by SEM-EDS, which is mainly decomposed into REO and REFeO3.