| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Sustainable Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Canadian Ores: A Cleaner Technology for Resource Recovery |
| Author(s) |
Gisele Azimi, Maziar Sauber, Sicheng Li, Maxwell Etherington-Rivas |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Gisele Azimi |
| Abstract Scope |
In this study, we utilized a complex Canadian rare earth element (REE) ore from Avalon Advanced Materials. We developed a method using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) as a solvent, with tributyl phosphate-nitric acid adduct as the chelating agent. To optimize extraction efficiency, a preliminary NaOH cracking step was applied. Various operational factors for both NaOH cracking (temperature, NaOH to solid ratio, duration) and SCFE (temperature, pressure, adduct to solid ratio) were optimized through factorial design experiments. Comprehensive analysis of ore samples before and after treatments helped understand the process mechanisms. Under optimal conditions, the combined NaOH cracking and SCFE achieved a 95% efficiency in total REE extraction. This research promotes green chemistry principles, utilizing carbon dioxide as a safer solvent alternative to hazardous acids. Our findings offer a sustainable method for REE extraction from primary resources, providing a cleaner alternative to conventional industry practices. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Extraction and Processing, Sustainability, Hydrometallurgy |