University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Rick Q Honaker

Wencai Zhang

Joshua Michael Werner

Alind Chandra

The present invention concerns a process of selective precipitation for the purpose of recovering rare earth elements from acidic media derived from coal and coal byproducts via two main steps of sequential precipitation and selective precipitation. An intermediary step of re-precipitation can be included to further increase RRE concentrations, as well as improve contaminant metal removal.

Low-cost selective precipitation circuit for recovery of rare earth elements from acid leachate of coal waste

A method for recovering valuable elements from pre-combustion coal-based materials includes the steps of grinding the materials to a predetermined size, roasting the ground materials at a temperature of 600&#xb0; C.-700&#xb0; C. for a predetermined residence time needed for mineral decomposition, submerging the roasted, ground materials in a solution of lixiviant, filtering the lixiviant solution to separate residual solids from a pregnant leach solution including the valuable elements and recovering and concentrating the valuable elements from the pregnant leach solution.

Method for recovering valuable elements from precombustion coal-based materials

A continuous solvent extract process is provided for concentrating rare earth elements from leachates generated from coal sources. The process involves solvent extraction which utilizes an organic extractant mixed into an organic solvent.

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

Rick Q Honaker