Process and apparatus for recovering rare earth elements from coal refuse

Abstract

A process for concentrating and separating rare earth elements including lithium and titanium from coal refuse. Crushed refuse admixed with water is transferred to a first cyclone separator to divide the admixture into a refuse rich slurry stream and a carbonaceous rich slurry stream. The refuse rich slurry stream is dewatered through a vibrating screen and the water sent to a raw feed sump source. The carbonaceous rich slurry is directed to a second cyclone separator to separate low quality carbon from high quality carbon, the high quality carbon is transferred to a third cyclone separator used to separate the element rich media. The media water is returned to the raw feed sump and the bleed media is directed to a centrifuge which thickens the concentration of rare earth elements and minerals. The effluent is directed to a tailings pond or vacuum press.