| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
A Novel Oxidative Leaching of NdCeFeB Magnets for Selective Recovery of Rare Earth Elements |
| Author(s) |
Venkata Lakshmi Borra, Thupakula Ghana Visarada, Prakash Venkatesan, Mehmet Ali Recai Onal, Chenna Rao Borra |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Chenna Rao Borra |
| Abstract Scope |
In certain applications, cerium (Ce) is partially substituted for neodymium (Nd) in NdFeB magnets to balance rare earth element (REE) consumption where lower magnetic strength is acceptable. The global demand for REEs is projected to increase to 315kt by 2030 from 60kt in 2005. Recycling REEs from secondary sources could help mitigate this growing demand. This study presents a recycling process that involves oxidation leaching of NdCeFeB magnets by varying HCl amount with and without supply of air, where air helps in oxidation of co-dissolved iron from Fe2+ to Fe3+ and selectively dissolve and separate REEs from the magnets. Oxalic acid precipitation was employed to convert rare earth salts into their corresponding oxalates, which were subsequently calcined to produce mixed rare earth oxide (REO). XRD, XRF, and SEM-EDX analysis confirmed that the overall recovery of REEs exceeded 95%, with a 99% purity in REO when HCl was used in conjunction with air supply. This innovative process not only minimizes acid and other reagent consumption but also generates goethite (FeOOH) as a valuable by-product. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Other |