Discovering the feasibility of using the radiation forces for recovering rare earth elements from coal power plant by-products

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Advanced Powder Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2015.08.004· OSTI ID:1462538

Phuoc, Tran X.; Wang, Ping; McIntyre, Dustin

The feasibility of using laser separation for rare earth recovery from coal ashes was explored. To do so, laser-induced motion and travel distances of some rare earth and rare earth oxides (Lu2O3, Yb2O3, HfO2, Dy2O3, Ta2O5, Tm, Lu, Ho, TeO2, La2O3, Ho, TiO2, Fe2O3 Y2O3, GeO2, Sc2O3) and mineral compounds (MgO, CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, KCl) that are commonly found is coal ashes were numerically investigated. The investigations were carried out for particles in quiescent air, (T = 300 K, μ = 18.46 x 10-6 N-s/m2 , ρ = 1.177 kg/m3 ) exposing to a CW laser beam of 6 mm in diameter and it was focused by a 500 mm focal length lens. The results showed that the separation distances between these elements varied from few micrometers to several millimeters and it became widened as the laser power increased. The important result presented here is that all rare earth oxides were separated and concentrated in a small area located near the beam waist while all other mineral compounds traveled further and concentrated in a small area far from the beam waist.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory - In-house Research
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1462538
• Report Number(s): NETL-PUB-20050; PII: S0921883115001818
• Journal Information: Advanced Powder Technology, Journal Name: Advanced Powder Technology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 26; ISSN 0921-8831
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
photophoresis
rare earth elements
coal ash separation