About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Selective Separation of Rare Earth Elements from Aqueous Solution |
| Author(s) |
Robert West, Jerry Downey, Grant Wallace, Teagan Leitzke |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Robert West |
| Abstract Scope |
The high costs associated with conventional solvent extraction processes emphasize the need for cost-effective alternatives to reduce dependence on REE sources. Previous research demonstrated the effectiveness of a Continuous Flow Material Recovery (CFMR) system using commercial magnetite (Fe₃O₄) as an adsorbent to remove copper, lead, and phosphate from surrogate solutions, achieving over 98% removal in single-stage experiments. The present study is building on this foundation by comparing the use of surface-functionalized magnetite particles with non-functionalized magnetite for REE separation in the CFMR. Kinetic models were developed to evaluate the removal of five rare earth chlorides—DyCl₃, EuCl₃, GdCl₃, LaCl₃, and NdCl₃. Key factors influencing adsorption processes, including adsorbent mass, agitation time, pH, initial concentration, temperature, and particle durability, were systematically examined. The data generated by these experiments were used to construct a comprehensive model of the CFMR system's performance in removing REEs from solution using both functionalized and non-functionalized magnetite particles. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Extraction and Processing, Hydrometallurgy, Recycling and Secondary Recovery |