Pilot-scale recovery of rare earths and scandium from phosphogypsum and uranium leachates

Maxim Mashkovtsev, Maxim Botalov, Denis Smyshlyaev, Risto Pajarre (Corresponding author), Petteri Kangas, Vladimir Rychkov, Pertti Koukkari

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Ural Federal University (UrFU) and VTT have performed joint research on development of industrial technologies for the extraction of REM and Scandium compounds from phosphogypsum and Uranium ISL leachate solutions. Leaching-absorption experiments at UrFU have been supported with multicomponent solution modelling by VTT. The simulations have been performed with VTT's ChemSheet/Balas program and can be used for speciation calculations in the lixiviant solution. The experimental work combines solvent extraction with advanced ion exchange methodology in a pilot facility capable of treating 5 m3 solution per hour. Currently, the plant produces cerium carbonate, lanthanum oxide, neodymium oxide and concentrate of heavy rare earth metals. A batch of 45 t solids has been processed with the gain of 100 kg's of REM concentrate. A mini-pilot plant with productivity above 50 liters per hour has been applied to recover scandium oxide and REE concentrates from the uranium ISL solution. As the preliminary product contains radioactivity (mainly strontium), an additional decontamination and cleaning of both concentrates by extraction has rendered a necessity. Finally a purified 99% concentrate of scandium oxide as well as 99% rare earth concentrate are received.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMineral Engineering Conference MEC2016
    EditorsP.B. Kowalczuk, J. Drzymala
    PublisherEDP Sciences
    Number of pages10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    EventMineral Engineering Conference, MEC 2016 - Swieradow-Zdroj, Poland
    Duration: 25 Sept 201628 Sept 2016

    Publication series

    SeriesE3S Web of Conferences
    Volume8
    ISSN2555-0403

    Conference

    ConferenceMineral Engineering Conference, MEC 2016
    Abbreviated titleMEC 2016
    Country/TerritoryPoland
    CitySwieradow-Zdroj
    Period25/09/1628/09/16

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