A supported liquid membrane system for the selective recovery of rare earth elements from neodymium-based permanent magnets

Journal Article · Mon Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Separation Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2016.1171782· OSTI ID:1356954

Kim, Daejin ^[1]; Powell, Lawrence ^[1]; Delmau, Lætitia H. ^[2]; Peterson, Eric S. ^[3]; Herchenroeder, Jim ^[4]; Bhave, Ramesh R. ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division
2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Nuclear Materials Processing Group
3. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States). Center for Advanced Energy Studies
4. Molycorp Magnequench, Greenwood Village, CO (United States)

We present that the rare earth elements (REEs) play a vital role in the development of green energy and high-tech industries. In order to meet the fast-growing demand and to ensure sufficient supply of the REEs, it is essential to develop an efficient REE recovery process from post-consumer REE-containing products. In this research effort, we have developed a supported liquid membrane system utilizing polymeric hollow fiber modules to extract REEs from neodymium-based magnets with neutral extractants such as tetraoctyl digylcol amide (TODGA). The effect of process variables such as REE concentration, molar concentration of acid, and membrane area on REE recovery was investigated. We have demonstrated the selective extraction and recovery of REEs such as Nd, Pr, and Dy without co-extraction of non-REEs from permanent NdFeB magnets through the supported liquid membrane system. The extracted REEs were then recovered by precipitation followed by the annealing step to obtain crystalline REE powders in nearly pure form. Finally, the recovered REE oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Critical Materials Institute (CMI)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); Work for Others (WFO)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1356954
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology, Vol. 51, Issue 10; ISSN 0149-6395
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Extractant
hollow fiber membrane
rare earth elements
supported liquid membrane