About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
|
Towards a Future of Sustainable Production and Processing of Metals and Alloys
|
Presentation Title |
Environmentally Friendly Synthesis of Anhydrous Rare Earth Fluorides Derived from e-wastes for Rare-earth Metallization |
Author(s) |
Anirudha Karati, Ikenna C. Nlebedim, Denis Prodius |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Anirudha Karati |
Abstract Scope |
Traditional synthesis of rare earth elements (REEs) has involved the reduction of rare earth oxides & rare earth fluorides. The reduction of oxides has the challenges of high operating temperatures, low batch production size, and a high carbon footprint in the conversion of oxalate to oxide. On the other hand, one of the major challenges with synthesizing fluorides involves using toxic chemicals like hydrogen fluoride and ammonium hydrogen fluoride. Additionally, during the processing steps, the liberation of hydrogen fluoride greatly increases the hazard for the process.
In this study, we have investigated the conditions to synthesize rare earth fluoride using an environmentally friendly process at neutral pH conditions. Our investigations confirm the evolution of water and minimal carbon dioxide as by-products, thus making metallization free of toxic gases. Furthermore, the low melting temperature of rare earth fluoride nullifies the need for using flux during the metallothermic reduction process. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
Keywords |
Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Pyrometallurgy, Environmental Effects |