Abstract

An improved method for separating individual and/or groups of rare earth elements from rare earth bearing leach solutions to produce high purity materials for further refinement. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising the steps of: neutralizing a leach solution; introducing ozone into the solution while controlling pH and precipitating cerium oxide; removing the precipitated cerium oxide from the solution; adjusting the pH of the solution in the presence of ozone to precipitate medium/heavy rare earths; removing the precipitated rare earth concentrate from the solution; treating the remaining solution with a precipitating agent to produce a high purity lanthanum precipitate; and removing the solids from the solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01F 17/229 - Lanthanum oxides or hydroxides
• C01F 17/10 - Preparation or treatment, e.g. separation or purification
• C01F 17/235 - Cerium oxides or hydroxides
• C22B 3/20 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
• C22B 7/00 - Working-up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals or compounds thereof
• C22B 59/00 - Obtaining rare earth metals

Abstract

An improved method for separating individual and/or groups of rare earth elements from rare earth bearing leach solutions to produce high purity materials for further refinement. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising the steps of: neutralizing a leach solution; introducing ozone into the solution while controlling pH and precipitating cerium oxide; removing the precipitated cerium oxide from the solution; adjusting the pH of the solution in the presence of ozone to precipitate medium/heavy rare earths; removing the precipitated rare earth concentrate from the solution; treating the remaining solution with a precipitating agent to produce a high purity lanthanum precipitate; and removing the solids from the solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C22B 59/00 - Obtaining rare earth metals

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for recovery, extraction and separation of rare earth elements from rare earth containing materials such as ore and tailings. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the method of the present invention includes grinding rare earth-containing ores to form ore powder and leaching the powered ore with at least one mineral acid. Further, the method of the present invention includes forming a leach solution of metal ions, forming an aqueous-metal concentrate, and precipitating the aqueous-metal concentrate to selectively remove the metal ions from the leach solution. Further, the method of present invention includes the steps of obtaining a precipitate of the rare earth elements, mixing the precipitate with ammonium salt and subjected the mixture to an electrowinning process.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C01F 17/00 - Compounds of rare earth metals
• C25C 1/22 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions of metals not provided for in groups
• C22B 59/00 - Obtaining rare earth metals
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
• C25C 7/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cellsServicing or operating of cells

Abstract

A method for extracting and separating rare earth elements comprising providing a rare earth-containing ore or tailings, grinding the rare earth-containing ore to form powdered ore; leaching powered ore with at least one mineral acid, forming a leach solution comprising at least one metal ion, rare earth elements and a solid material, separating solid material from the leach solution to form aqueous-metal concentrate, precipitating the aqueous-metal concentrate to selectively remove the metal ion from the leach solution and obtain a precipitate of rare earth elements; heating the precipitate of rare earth elements in air to form oxide of rare earth elements, mixing the oxide of rare earth elements with an ammonium salt and heating in a dry air/nitrogen, forming a mixture of anhydrous rare earth salts in an aqueous solution, and separating rare earth elements from the aqueous solution by means of an electrowinning process.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01F 17/00 - Compounds of rare earth metals

Abstract

Methods are described for the recovery and separation of the rare earth elements from ore, tailings, or any other solid source. The methods described utilize mechanochemical methods for creating chemical compounds and complexes which are suitable for separation from the original materials. The rare earth element compounds created from the solids are then able to be extracted from the remainder of the materials through the use of solvents. Finally utilizing selective titrations, counter current chromatography and reverse phase chromatography the elements are separated from each other and converted into oxides, hydroxides, salts and organometallic compounds.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 59/00 - Obtaining rare earth metals
• C22B 3/02 - Apparatus therefor
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes