About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Refractory Metals 2026 – A Memorial to Todd Leonhardt
|
| Presentation Title |
Novel Methods for Rhenium Recovery from Superalloys |
| Author(s) |
Steven Sparkowich, Alex Iasnikov |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Alex Iasnikov |
| Abstract Scope |
Rhenium is a by-product of molybdenum refining which is by-product of copper refining and its supply is very limited. Nickel-based superalloys that are used in hot section of jet turbines account for more than 75% of rhenium consumption. Addition of rhenium to superalloys allows increased turbine performance, efficiency, and longevity. Superalloy scrap is a valuable source of rhenium. Hydrometallurgy is the common technology for refining of rhenium from superalloy scrap. The typical hydrometallurgical recycling process is based on acid or electrochemical digestion of the scrap. Rhenium is separated via IX or SX and further purified. Tantalum is extracted in the form of high-grade concentrate. The full values of nickel and cobalt are typically not valorized. Refining of nickel and cobalt via SX/IX or electrowinning allows an increase in the value nickel and cobalt offsetting the cost of rhenium recovery and increasing the profitability of rhenium refining operations. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
High-Temperature Materials, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Hydrometallurgy |