Rare-Earth Metal Recovery for Green Technologies (eBook)

Preface 5
Contents 6
Contributors 8
About the Editor 10
Chapter 1: Introduction of Rare Earth Metal Recovery for Green and Clean Energy Technologies 13
References 19
Chapter 2: Mineral Processing of Rare Earth Ores 21
2.1 Introduction 21
2.2 Occurrence and Production 24
2.2.1 Occurrence 24
2.2.2 Production 26
2.2.2.1 Carbonatites 26
2.2.2.2 Pegmatites 26
2.2.2.3 Placer Deposits 27
2.3 Beneficiation of Rare Earth Minerals 27
2.3.1 Gravity Separation 27
2.3.2 Magnetic Separation 31
2.3.3 Electrostatic Separation 35
2.3.4 Froth Flotation 35
2.3.4.1 Surface Chemistry of Rare Earth Minerals 36
2.3.4.2 Bastnaesite Flotation 37
Collectors 37
Depressants 37
2.3.4.3 Monazite Flotation 38
Monazite Collectors 38
Monazite Depressants 39
2.3.4.4 Xenotime Flotation 40
2.4 Rare Earth Ore Plant Practices 40
2.4.1 Bastnaesite Processing Flowsheets 41
2.4.1.1 Bastnaesite Processing in Mountain Pass, California, USA 41
2.4.1.2 Bastnaesite Processing in Bayan Obo, China 41
2.4.2 Monazite Processing Flowsheets 43
2.4.2.1 Monazite Processing at IREL, India 43
2.5 Recovery of Rare Earths from Different Sources 45
2.5.1 Xenotime 45
2.5.2 Ion Adsorption Clays 46
2.5.3 Loparite 46
2.5.4 Industrial By-Products 47
2.6 Concluding Remarks 47
References 48
Chapter 3: Thermodynamic Aspects for Rare Earth Metal Production 51
3.1 Introduction 51
3.2 Thermodynamics of Rare Earth Extraction 53
3.3 Solution Thermodynamics 58
3.4 Thermodynamics of Chemical Reactions 61
3.5 Rare Earth Metal Production by Metallothermic Reduction 62
3.6 Samarium Metal From Pure Samarium Oxide by Lanthanum 64
3.7 Gadolinium Production from Gadolinium Fluoride by Calcium 66
3.8 Summary and Outlook 67
References 67
Chapter 4: Fundamental Principle and Practices of Solvent Extraction (SX) and Supported Liquid Membrane (SLM) Process for Extraction and Separation of Rare Earth Metal(s) 69
4.1 Introduction 69
4.2 Rare Earth Sources 71
4.3 Extraction of Rare Earth Metal(s) Through Hydrometallurgy Approach 72
4.4 Leaching of REEs 73
4.5 Solvent Extraction (SX) Method and Its Application in Rare Earth Separation 74
4.5.1 Speciation Chemistry of REEs in Solvent Extraction (SX) and Supported Liquid Membrane (SLM) Process 75
4.5.2 Principle of Liquid-Liquid Extraction 76
4.5.3 Supported Liquid Membrane Approach 77
4.5.4 Theory and Principle of SLM Approach 77
4.5.5 Transport Behaviour of Metals Through SLM 78
4.5.6 Extraction Mechanism of REEs in SX and SLM 79
4.5.7 Enrichment of REEs 81
4.6 Separation Studies of REEs by SX and SLM 83
4.6.1 REE Extraction with Commercial Solvent Reagents 83
4.6.2 Separation of REEs Using Ionic Liquids (ILs) 88
4.6.3 Separation of REEs Using Synergist Extractants 89
4.7 Concluding Remarks and Futuristic Prospective 91
References 92
Chapter 5: Recent Strategies on Adsorptive Removal of Precious Metals and Rare Earths Using Low-Cost Natural Adsorbents 98
5.1 Adsorption and Its Basic Principles 98
5.1.1 Adsorption 98
5.1.2 Adsorption Principles 99
5.1.3 Types of Adsorptions 100
5.2 Factors Influencing Adsorption 101
5.3 Adsorption Equilibria 102
5.3.1 Adsorption Isotherms 102
5.3.2 Adsorption Kinetics 105
5.4 Adsorption Process Design 105
5.4.1 Batch-Type Adsorption Process 105
5.4.2 Column-Type Adsorption Process 106
5.5 Brief Review on Recent Strategies of Adsorptive Removal of Platinum Group or Precious Metals (PGMs) 106
5.5.1 Introduction 106
5.5.2 Basics and Chemistry of PGMs 107
5.5.3 Adsorptive Removal of PGMs with Various Types of Adsorbents 107
5.5.3.1 Activated Carbons (ACs) 108
5.5.3.2 Inorganic Metal Oxides or Magnetic Metal Oxides 108
5.5.3.3 Biosorbents 110
5.5.3.4 Other Adsorbents 110
5.6 Possible Adsorption Mechanism of PGMs 111
5.7 Adsorptive Removal of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) 111
5.8 Conclusions 112
References 116
Chapter 6: Investigation on Extraction and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Secondary Solid Wastes 121
6.1 Introduction 121
6.2 Technologies for Recovery of REEs 123
6.2.1 Upstream Processes for Recovery of REE Metals from Secondary Source(s) 124
6.2.1.1 Waste Permanent REE Magnets 125
6.2.1.2 Lamp Phosphors 125
6.2.1.3 Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries 126
6.2.1.4 Coal Ash and Incinerator Ash 127
6.2.1.5 Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Phosphors 128
6.2.1.6 Glass Polishing Powders 128
6.2.1.7 Fluid Cracking Catalysts 129
6.2.1.8 Optical Glass 129
6.2.2 Conventional Leaching Study 130
6.2.3 Advanced Activation Techniques Adopted on Enhancement of REE Leaching 132
6.2.3.1 Microwave -Assisted Leaching 133
6.2.3.2 Ultrasound-Assisted Leaching 134
6.3 Ultrasound- and Microwave-Assisted Leaching Kinetics and Mechanism 135
6.4 Downstream Method for Recovery of Rare Earths from Leach Solution 138
6.4.1 Fractional Crystallization 138
6.4.2 Ion Exchange 138
6.4.3 Solvent Extraction 139
6.4.4 Hollow Fiber-Supported Liquid Membrane 139
6.4.5 Recovery of Metal Through Precipitation Route 139
6.5 Conclusion and Future Prospective 140
References 141
Chapter 7: Fabrication of Nanostructured Materials with Rare-Earth Elements for Bioanalytical Applications 146
7.1 Introduction 146
7.2 Biosensing Applications of Rare-Earth Element-Based Nanomaterials 147
7.2.1 Assay of Nucleic Acids 147
7.2.2 Assay of Biomarkers and Bacteria 148
7.2.3 Assay of Toxic Chemicals 154
7.2.4 Assay of Biologically Important Molecules 155
7.3 Conclusions 157
References 158
Chapter 8: Rare Earth-Based Magnetic Materials: Progresses in the Fabrication Technologies and Magnetic Properties 162
8.1 Introduction 162
8.2 Integrated Route of Spray Drying with R-D 164
8.2.1 Optimization of R-D Process 165
8.2.2 Optimization of Washing Process 167
8.3 Conclusion and Prospective 168
References 170
Index 171