About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Hydrometallurgical Processing of Waste Fluorescent Lamps Phosphor Dust for Rare Earth Recovery |
| Author(s) |
Manish K. Sinha, Himanshu Tanvar, Brajendra Mishra |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Manish K. Sinha |
| Abstract Scope |
As fluorescent lamps (FLs) are gradually discontinued, recycling end-of-life and stockpiled units becomes essential to conserve the critical rare earth elements (REEs) contained within their phosphor coatings. Recovering these metals supports both sustainable waste management and reduces reliance on primary REE supplies. This study details a systematic recycling process for maximal REE extraction. The process begins with separation of non-REE phases followed by temperature-controlled acid leaching to dissolve yttrium (Y) and europium (Eu). From the leach liquor Eu was selectively precipitated as EuSO4, while Y was recovered as double sulfate salt. The residual solid underwent peroxide fusion, water leaching, and acid leaching to extract lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and terbium (Tb). A separation process was established to isolate individual RE-products from the leach solution, involving Ce oxidation-precipitation followed by Tb and La recovery via solvent extraction. A comprehensive flowsheet was developed to sustainably reclaim critical REEs from FL phosphor dust. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Extraction and Processing, Recycling and Secondary Recovery |