AU2023203580A1 - Method and system for processing rare earth concentrate - Google Patents
Method and system for processing rare earth concentrate Download PDFInfo
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- AU2023203580A1 AU2023203580A1 AU2023203580A AU2023203580A AU2023203580A1 AU 2023203580 A1 AU2023203580 A1 AU 2023203580A1 AU 2023203580 A AU2023203580 A AU 2023203580A AU 2023203580 A AU2023203580 A AU 2023203580A AU 2023203580 A1 AU2023203580 A1 AU 2023203580A1
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 83
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 229910052761 rare earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 150000002910 rare earth metals Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 154
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 150000002602 lanthanoids Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 229910052747 lanthanoid Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- ATRRKUHOCOJYRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium bicarbonate Chemical compound [NH4+].OC([O-])=O ATRRKUHOCOJYRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 229910000013 Ammonium bicarbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium hydroxide Chemical compound [NH4+].[OH-] VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 235000012538 ammonium bicarbonate Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000001099 ammonium carbonate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000000908 ammonium hydroxide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000005342 ion exchange Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000013072 incoming material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 34
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 31
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- BFNBIHQBYMNNAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium sulfate Chemical compound N.N.OS(O)(=O)=O BFNBIHQBYMNNAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052921 ammonium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000001166 ammonium sulphate Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 235000011130 ammonium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium Chemical compound [NH4+] QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 claims description 6
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910021653 sulphate ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- AMWRITDGCCNYAT-UHFFFAOYSA-L hydroxy(oxo)manganese;manganese Chemical compound [Mn].O[Mn]=O.O[Mn]=O AMWRITDGCCNYAT-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001728 nano-filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012286 potassium permanganate Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002562 thickening agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000006386 neutralization reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008719 thickening Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000008733 Citrus aurantifolia Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000011941 Tilia x europaea Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- PASHVRUKOFIRIK-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium sulfate dihydrate Chemical compound O.O.[Ca+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O PASHVRUKOFIRIK-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011362 coarse particle Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004571 lime Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006193 liquid solution Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000395 magnesium oxide Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N magnesium oxide Inorganic materials [Mg]=O CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- AXZKOIWUVFPNLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N magnesium;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[Mg+2] AXZKOIWUVFPNLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 7
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002440 industrial waste Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010979 pH adjustment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000060340 Citronella Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000018791 Cymbopogon nardus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000909595 Gomortega keule Species 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 241000257791 Pitavia punctata Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005341 cation exchange Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001033 granulometry Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052602 gypsum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010440 gypsum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010808 liquid waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004321 preservation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012857 radioactive material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001404 rare earth metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002910 solid waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 150000003467 sulfuric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B59/00—Obtaining rare earth metals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
- B03B5/00—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
- B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
- B03B7/00—Combinations of wet processes or apparatus with other processes or apparatus, e.g. for dressing ores or garbage
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/02—Apparatus therefor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/04—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
- C22B3/12—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic alkaline solutions
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/04—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
- C22B3/12—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic alkaline solutions
- C22B3/14—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic alkaline solutions containing ammonia or ammonium salts
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/20—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
- C22B3/22—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means, or by thermal decomposition
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/20—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
- C22B3/44—Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
- Separation Of Suspended Particles By Flocculating Agents (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a system for the processing of rare
earth concentrate, which allow efficiency to be improved in terms of recovering
the mineral and the resources involved in the process. The method comprises
the steps of: a) reception and conditioning of the raw material, wherein a
material of interest is obtained, which is mixed with a first recirculation flow to
generate a first material flow of interest; b) sorting of the material flow of
interest, wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation
flow and sorted into a fine material line and a coarse material line; c) extraction
of lanthanides, wherein the fine material line is put in contact with an ion
exchange promoter solution and with a third recirculation flow, obtaining a flow
of loaded material; d) precipitation of impurities, wherein the flow of loaded
material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow and with a solution of
ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or
sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; e)
precipitation of rare earth concentrate, wherein the incoming material makes
contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia,
ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; and f) drying of the rare earth
concentrate; wherein the method comprises the use of a waste solution
treatment plant that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted
material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and
washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth
recirculation flows.
2/3
110
120
130 135
140
150
160
Figure 2
Description
2/3
110
120
130 135
140
150
160
Figure 2
Patents Act 1990
Invention title:
Applicant:
Associated provisional applications:
The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the extraction and processing of minerals from the lanthanide group. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved process for the extraction, purification and production of minerals from the lanthanide group, the objective of which is to ensure the chemical stability of waste, avoid the disposal of liquid waste, and improve efficiency in terms of mineral recovery, the use of water and the use of resources used in the process, thus achieving a more environmentally friendly process.
Background to the Invention
[0002] The so-called rare earths, which include elements from the lanthanide group, constitute strategic elements for the world of electromobility, clean energy and permanent magnets, and their different elements can be used in applications as diverse as catalysts for vehicles, wind generators or electronic equipment. However, extracting these elements is relatively complex; in fact, the name "rare" earths is because finding them in a pure form is very uncommon. In particular, in nature, these elements are usually mixed with other materials, meaning that it is difficult to extract them individually. For this reason, the extraction and processing of these minerals requires the use of different chemical products that can act as a source of pollution, generating acid or even radioactive materials.
[0003] To address these shortcomings, the applicants previously developed a system and a method for the processing of minerals from the lanthanide group and for the production of rare earth oxides, which was embodied in international patent application PCT/IB2017/051339, published under number WO 2018/162951 Al. This system and method sought to provide a closed and continuous treatment of the different materials and ion exchange agents involved in the process, in contrast to the technologies known up until then where the processing was carried out through the use of chemical products in an "open" environment, entailing a potential environmental risk in the area close to the mine. As such, the use of a closed and continuous treatment of the different materials and ion exchange agents made it possible to improve efficiency in the extraction in relation to the technologies known up until then, also allowing environmental risks to be avoided.
[0004] Nevertheless, although the original patent sought to be environmentally efficient, the inventors found in practice that the originally developed system and method did not allow high efficiency in mineral recovery. Among other operational factors, the original system was based on the use of reactors in the leaching step that were used in combination with dewatering equipment; however, it was found that, due to the granulometry of the clays present in the solutions of interest, the use of reactors required energy-intensive engines (see Figure 1), which exhibited high wear of the mechanical elements of these units of equipment. Furthermore, the dewatering equipment exhibited operational problems with the fine material, which made the solid-liquid separation of the clay present therein very difficult. Likewise, although the original system envisaged a dewatering and washing step wherein the depleted mineral is washed and liquid with rare earth content is recovered, the processing described herein for the process solutions and the use of water shows flaws in terms of efficiency in the use of these resources.
[0005] Since the process described in document WO 2018/162951 Al operates in a closed loop, an increase in the concentration of dissolved salts, mainly sulphates, calcium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, inter alia, occurs, where the concentration of total dissolved solids (DS) reaches values higher than 3% or even 4%, comparable to seawater. The direct use of reverse osmosis, proposed in said document, then becomes unfeasible and causes the depleted material to be disposed of not to be chemically stable; therefore, a complex purification system is required to recover water that makes the closed circuit viable and ensures chemical stability, which is the main reason for this new invention.
[0006] Consequently, it was identified that the aforementioned shortcomings of the original system make the processing of rare earths technically and economically unfeasible under current conditions.
[0007] In view of the aforementioned problems, it can be seen that there is a need to provide a system for the extraction, purification and production of minerals from the lanthanide group, which makes it possible to ensure the chemical stability of the depleted material and improve efficiency in terms of mineral recovery, water recirculation and the use of the resources used in the process.
Summary of the Invention
[0008] To at least partially address the problems raised, a system and a method for the processing of minerals from the lanthanide group are disclosed, which makes it possible to improve efficiency in terms of mineral recovery, water recovery and the use of the resources involved in the process.
[0009] In particular, the method of the present invention is based on carrying out the following steps: a) reception and conditioning of the raw material, wherein a material of interest is obtained, which is mixed with a first recirculation flow to generate a first material flow of interest; b) sorting of the material flow of interest, wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation flow and sorted into a fine material line and a coarse material line; c) extraction of lanthanides, wherein the material from the fine material line makes contact with a third recirculation flow and with a flow of ion exchange promoter solution, thus obtaining a flow of loaded material; d) precipitation of impurities, wherein the flow of loaded material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow and with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; e) precipitation of rare earth concentrate, wherein the incoming flow makes contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide; and f) drying of the rare earth concentrate; wherein the method comprises the use of a waste solution treatment plant that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows; and wherein the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows comprise different solutions that are sorted into two types, a flow of "clean water", comprising a solution with a negligible concentration of ammonium and sulphate, which is used for washing spent material, and a flow of recirculated solution comprising a high concentration of ammonium sulphate.
[0010] As such, the method of the present invention envisages the use of a waste solution treatment plant, which allows the solutions recovered from different parts of the process to be reused for waste washing, the preparation of reagents, or they are recirculated through the different recirculation flows. More particularly, the different solutions that are fed into the treatment plant come from processes of solid/liquid separation, material washing in the sorting steps of the material flow of interest, the extraction of lanthanides and precipitation of lanthanide concentrate. Thus, this configuration makes it possible to ensure the chemical stability of the depleted material, and the recovery of process water and reagents, thus improving the extraction of the product from the material and decreasing the necessary supply of water in the processing plant, the use of reagents and avoiding the release of liquid industrial waste into the environment.
[0011] Consequently, the described method has made it possible to make the process of generating rare earth concentrates more efficient while favouring the washing of clays, thus allowing the relevant content of the earth to be recovered by using solution recirculation processes in the different steps of the process and ensuring the chemical stability of the depleted material. Furthermore, in order to make the processes for treating clay and, in general, depleted material more efficient, the present invention avoids the use of reactors in combination with dewaterers, by using thickeners in the leaching step in combination with filtration means in the different steps of material processing.
[0012] On the other hand, the present invention further includes a system for carrying out the steps of the method described above, which comprises: - raw material reception and conditioning means, wherein a material of interest is obtained which is mixed with a first recirculation flow to generate a first material flow of interest; - material flow of interest sorting means, wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation flow and sorted into a fine material line and a coarse material line; - lanthanide extraction means, wherein the material from the coarse material line makes contact with a flow of ion exchange promoter solution and with a third recirculation flow, thus obtaining a flow of loaded material; - impurity precipitation means, wherein the flow of loaded material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow and with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; - rare earth concentrate precipitation means, wherein the incoming flow is put in contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide; - rare earth concentrate drying means; and - a waste solution treatment plant that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows; wherein the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows comprise different solutions that are sorted into two types, a flow of "clean water", comprising a solution with a negligible concentration of ammonium and sulphate, which is used for washing spent material, and a flow of recirculated solution comprising a high concentration of ammonium sulphate.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013] Itwill be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:
[0014] Figure 1 shows a graph depicting the relationship between the particle size of the clays and the power in the engines of the reactor area in the system of document WO 2018/162951 Al.
[0015] Figure 2 shows a flow chart according to a preferred configuration of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 3 shows a flow chart that describes in greater detail each of the steps according to the configuration of Figure 2.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the present invention relates to a method for the processing of minerals from the lanthanide group, which allows efficiency to be improved in terms of recovering the mineral and the resources involved in the process. The method comprises the steps of: a) reception and conditioning of the raw material (110), wherein a material of interest is obtained, which is mixed with a first recirculation flow to generate a first material flow of interest; b) sorting of the material flow of interest (120), wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation flow and sorted into a fine material line and a coarse material line; c) extraction of lanthanides (130), wherein the fine material line is put in contact with an ion exchange promoter solution and with a third recirculation flow, obtaining a flow of loaded material; d) precipitation of impurities (140), wherein the flow of loaded material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow and with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; e) precipitation of rare earth concentrate (150), wherein the incoming material makes contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; and f) drying of the rare earth concentrate (160); wherein the method comprises the use of a waste solution treatment plant (170) that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows; and wherein the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows comprise different solutions that are sorted into two types, a flow of "clean water", comprising a solution with a negligible concentration of ammonium and sulphate, which is used for washing spent material, and a flow of recirculated solution comprising a high concentration of ammonium sulphate.
[0018] As shown in Figure 2, in the lanthanide extraction step (130) two streams are obtained, a flow of lanthanide-laden material that is sent to the impurity precipitation step (140), and a pulp with spent material that is preferably sent to a solid/liquid separation step (135), which purpose is to recover the remaining lanthanides contained in said pulp. In this step, the pulp with spent material is fed to separation means, preferably filter presses, wherein a spent material solid is obtained and a laden solution is obtained that is sent to the waste solution treatment plant (170), so that it is subsequently reused in the process. Furthermore, in this configuration, the obtained solid, corresponding to depleted material, goes through a washing process with clean water from the water recovery plant in order to ensure the chemical stability of the waste, and to be transported to the final disposal. The solution obtained by washing the solid obtained, like other washing solutions from other steps of the process, is also sent to the waste solution treatment plant (170), in order to be purified and subsequently reused in the process.
[0019] Figure 3 shows a preferred configuration of the invention in greater detail, wherein each of the particularities of the steps of the method is shown.
[0020] According to Figure 3, the reception and conditioning of the raw material step (110) comprises the reception of the material from the extraction area, preferably in feed hoppers with filtration means that prevent stones, plants or other unwanted objects from entering. The material is preferably discharged to a scrubber cylinder wherein the material is put in contact with the first recirculation flow (201), which comprises in this case a flow of clean water from the waste solution treatment plant (170). The scrubber cylinder is preferably connected to a trommel, wherein the coarse particles are separated to be transferred to the final disposal (400) in a waste tank (not shown in the figures). The remaining particles, mixed with the first recirculation flow (201), produce the first material flow of interest (301), which is sent to the material flow of interest sorting step (120).
[0021] In the material flow of interest sorting step (120), the first material flow of interest (301) is subjected to filtration means, preferably by wet sorting, wherein all the material particles greater than a threshold diameter, preferably 1 mm, are separated, thus generating the fine material and coarse material lines. The coarse material line, which comprises particles of a size larger than said threshold, are separated and subsequently washed, to then be sent to the final disposal (400) in said waste tank. The remaining particles, which have a size smaller the threshold value, are mixed in a container enabled for this purpose with a second recirculation flow (202), thus obtaining the second material flow of interest (302), which is sent to the lanthanide extraction step (130).
[0022] In the lanthanide extraction step (130), the second material flow of interest (302) undergoes a lanthanide extraction process, preferably by cation exchange. In this step, the second material flow of interest (302) is processed in thickeners, wherein it is put in contact with a solution for ionic exchange, preferably comprising ammonium sulphate for the extraction of the lanthanides present in the solution. The external solid/liquid ratio of this step is preferably in a range between 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 and with a residence time between 1 and 4 hours. Furthermore, in preferred configurations of the invention, a solution of dilute sulphuric acid is added in this step, in order to control the pH, preferably between 2 and 4, a flocculant solution to improve the thickening process, and the flow is also put in contact with the third recirculation flow (203), which in this case corresponds to a flow of recirculated solution, in order to efficiently use water. From this step, a flow of loaded material (303) is thus obtained, which is sent to the impurity precipitation step (140).
[0023] From the lanthanide extraction step (130), a flow of pulp with spent material (304) is also obtained, which is sent to a solid/liquid separation step (135) which purpose is to recover the remaining lanthanides contained in the solution and impregnated with the solid. The solid/liquid separation step (135) preferably comprises the use of filter presses, where a spent material solid (400) is obtained with an approximate moisture content between 20% and % and a lanthanide-containing solution which is sent to a precipitation step (136). In the filter presses of the solid/liquid separation step (135), the spent material solid (400) goes through a washing step with a flow of clean water where the chemical stability of the waste is ensured, and it is sent to the final disposal in the waste tank. The solution obtained by washing the spent material solid is purified in the treatment plant of the waste solution treatment plant (170), in order to be reused in the process. In the precipitation step (136), a lanthanide-containing solution is received, to which a lanthanide precipitation reagent is added, such as sodium hydroxide, and preferably a flow of recirculated solution (205) from the washing of the coarse material line in the sorting step (120) is also added. From the precipitation step (136), a flow is obtained that is sent to a filtering step (137), wherein the lanthanide- containing precipitates are separated from a flow of solution. In this configuration, the lanthanide-containing precipitates are obtained in the form of pulp, which corresponds to the fourth recirculation flow (204), which is sent to the impurity precipitation step (140), while the remaining solution from the filtering step (136) is sent to the waste solution treatment plant (170).
[0024] In other configurations of the invention, the possibility is envisaged that the third recirculation flow (203) and fourth recirculation flow (204) are mixed in a container medium (not shown in the figures), from which it is distributed to the lanthanide extraction step (130) and impurity precipitation step (140).
[0025] In the impurity precipitation step (140), the flow of lanthanide-laden material is fed to one or more reactors, preferably stirred reactors, wherein it makes contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide, in order to adjust the pH of the solution, preferably in a range between 4.5 and 6, and with a residence time between 20 and 60 minutes, which allows impurities such as aluminium and iron to be removed by precipitation. Furthermore, in this step the flow of loaded material is put in contact with the fourth recirculation flow (204). In some configurations of the invention, a flocculant is also added in this step, in order to improve the solid/liquid separation process.
[0026] The material obtained in this step, with the precipitated impurities, is subjected to a filtration process (145). Preferably, the spent solid (400) that is obtained in this filtration process is washed with clean water, and the already washed solid is sent to the final disposal (400) in the waste tank. In preferred configurations of the invention, the solution obtained from washing the spent material is recirculated in the process.
[0027] On the other hand, the impurity-free solution that is obtained after the filtration process (145) is sent in the form of a flow of impurity-free solution (305) to the rare earth concentrate precipitation step (150). In this step, the impurity-free, anthanide-laden solution is fed to one or more reactors, preferably stirred reactors, wherein it is put in contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, which allows the solution to reach a pH in the range between 6 and 7.5, with a residence time that is preferably between 20 and minutes, which facilitates lanthanide precipitation. In some configurations of the invention, a flocculant solution can be added in this step in order to optimise the rare earth concentrate precipitation process.
[0028] A product of the generated reactions, a precipitated lanthanides-laden flow (306) is obtained from the reactors, which is sent to a new solid/liquid separation step (151), which preferably comprises the use of filter presses. In some configurations of the invention, this solid/liquid separation step (151) includes the use of two or more filters connected in series, to optimise the recovery process. From the filtration process, a flow of lanthanide-laden pulp (307), which is sent to a washing step (152) and subsequent filtering step (153), and a liquid solution of spent material, containing a high content of dissolved solids, and which is sent to the waste solution treatment plant (170), is obtained, for subsequent reuse in the process.
[0029] In the washing step (152), the flow of lanthanide-laden pulp (307) is washed with clean water and then filtered (153), from where a new washing solution is obtained that is also sent to the waste solution treatment plant (170), for subsequent reuse in the process. Furthermore, in this washing step (152), a pulp (308) is obtained that is sent to a filtering step (153) and subsequently to the rare earth concentrate drying step (160), from where a dry product is obtained that is sent to a cooler to then be packaged.
[0030] In addition, the present invention also envisages a system for the processing of rare earth concentrate, which carries out the method described above, and which comprises the following elements: - raw material reception and conditioning means, wherein a material of interest is obtained which is mixed with a first recirculation flow (201) to generate a first material flow of interest (301);
- material flow of interest sorting means, wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation flow and sorted into a fine material line (302) and a coarse material line; - lanthanide extraction means, wherein the fine material line (302) is put in contact with a flow of an ion exchange promoter solution and with a third recirculation flow (203), and wherein a flow of loaded material (303) is obtained; - impurity precipitation means, wherein the flow of loaded material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow (204) and with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; - rare earth concentrate precipitation means, wherein the incoming material is put in contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; - rare earth concentrate drying means; and - a waste solution treatment plant (170) that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows; wherein the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows comprise different solutions that are sorted into two types, a flow of "clean water", comprising a solution with a negligible concentration of ammonium and sulphate, which is used for washing spent material, and a flow of recirculated solution comprising a high concentration of ammonium sulphate.
[0031] Preferably, the raw material reception and conditioning means include means for transporting the material, which supply the raw material to the feed hoppers that include means to prevent stones, branches or other unwanted objects from entering.
[0032] On the other hand, the material flow of interest sorting means comprise the use of wet sorting means that separate all the material particles larger than a threshold diameter, preferably 1 mm. Preferably, said sorting means include the use of screens or other similar devices.
[0033] The lanthanide extraction means comprise the use of one or more units of thickening equipment, wherein optionally the material of interest can be extracted from the clay in different steps connected in series and in countercurrent with an ion exchange promoter solution, which preferably comprises a solution of ammonium sulphate. Furthermore, in the lanthanide extraction step, as well as in other steps of the process, solid/liquid separation means are used, which preferably include the use of filter presses.
[0034] In particular, it should be taken into account that the combination of thickeners together with the separation of material through filter presses makes it possible to achieve better performance in the treatment of the mineral and in the separation of clays, compared with the use of reactors and dewatering tables that were used in the original patent application of the same applicant (international publication number WO 2018/162951 Al). This constitutes one of the most important advantages of the present invention in relation to said previous technology.
[0035] The impurity precipitation means preferably comprise impurity reactors, which receive a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation, in addition to receiving a fourth recirculation flow and, optionally, a flocculant solution to facilitate precipitation.
[0036] The rare earth concentrate precipitation means preferably comprise the use of one or more stirred reactors, wherein a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide is added to allow lanthanides to precipitate. Subsequently, the resulting flow is sent to one or more containers wherein a flocculant solution is added.
[0037] The drying means preferably comprise drying equipment, which optionally considers the use of electrically heated oil to thus avoid using fossil fuels and to be more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, gases are generated in the drying process that may contain ammonia, such that said gases are preferably treated in a gas washing system to be subsequently released into the environment. The dry product obtained by the drying means is sent to cooling means, which lower the temperature of the solid to then be discharged to a material handling system that will take the material to a packaging step.
[0038] The purpose of the waste solution treatment plant (170) is to receive solutions from the processing of material in the different steps of the process, to allow them to be reused through recirculation flows, thus avoiding the release of liquid industrial waste (LIW), making it possible to have chemically stable waste, reduce the use of reagents and decrease the use of fresh water. For this purpose, the waste solution treatment plant (170) considers means for the removal of divalent cations, such as calcium, magnesium or manganese.
[0039] Preferably, the waste solution treatment plant (170) comprises two types of treatment, since the lanthanide concentrate production process generates two qualities of solution that is to be recovered. More particularly, the waste solution treatment plant (170) comprises a low total dissolved solids (TDS) solution treatment line (171, 173 and 174) and a high TIDS solution treatment line (172, 175 and 176).
[0040] The low TDS solution treatment line allows the processing of solutions with a smaller amount of dissolved solids, which comes mainly from the washing of depleted material. The solution obtained from said washing steps is subjected to a softening step in a first softening plant (171), subsequently it continues towards a manganese oxidation step (173) and then it is sent to a reverse osmosis plant (174). After this step, both the permeate, which is used mainly for washing waste, and the reject are reused in the different steps of the process. The permeate obtained generates a flow of clean water that is used in the different steps of the lanthanide extraction process, and the quality of this permeate or clean water obtained is similar to that of commercial demineralised water.
[0041] The high TIDS solution treatment line allows the processing of solutions with a higher content of dissolved solids, which comes from the rare earth concentrate precipitation step (150). Like the low TIDS solution, this flow enters a second softening plant (172), then a manganese oxidation step (175) and subsequently, due to the high TDS, which is mostly a useful reagent for extraction, this solution is treated in a nanofiltration process (176) (preferably with semi-permeable membranes of between 0.001 and 0.01 mm), where the permeate obtained is sent to the filtration step by reverse osmosis (174) mentioned above. The reject is directed to the water distribution area to be reused in the process where necessary.
[0042] More particularly, for the treatment of the solution coming from the rare earth concentrate precipitation (150), the use of ion exchange columns is considered for the removal of divalent cations, such as calcium, magnesium or manganese. Then, in the manganese oxidation step (175), its abatement is carried out as manganese oxide through the reaction with potassium permanganate or greensand filters, and the magnesium oxide is removed with polishing filters and mixed with the depleted clay to be sent to the final disposal. Furthermore, the discard obtained in the nanofiltration process (176) is recirculated as an ion exchange agent to the lanthanide extraction step (130), while the permeate is treated jointly with the solutions that come from the different washing steps of depleted material (400), feeding ion exchange and manganese oxidation columns, generating a low TDS solution like in the previously described step. This solution has about 1% TDS meaning that it can feed the reverse osmosis unit, from where the flow of clean water is generated to wash and condition the clay or depleted material (400), while the reject of this process is used for a reagent preparation step of the process (179).
[0043] In preferred configurations of the invention, the waste solution treatment plant (170) further comprises an oxidation and neutralisation system (177), which processes the purges obtained from the softening steps (173, 175), both in the low TIDS and high TIDS solutions. More particularly, in this step the solutions collected in the softening steps are removed through a process of oxidation and adjustment to basic pH, preferably through the addition of potassium permanganate and lime slurry, mainly generating calcium sulphate dihydrate (gypsum). The pulp obtained from impurities, product of the neutralisation, continues towards a solid/liquid separation process (178), obtaining a solid waste that will be sent to the final disposal in the waste tank. On the other hand, the neutralised and filtered solution is reused in the process.
[0044] Lastly, the waste solution treatment plant (170) preferably includes a pH adjustment step (180) wherein a flow from the reverse osmosis filtration step (174) is received, and wherein sodium hydroxide is added in order to adjust the pH of the incoming solution, to then be sent as recirculation flows to different steps of the process. The pH adjustment step (180) allows the clay washing water to be conditioned in such a way that the washed depleted clay allows the revegetation of an ecosystem which allows the growth of preservation species, such as Gomortega keule, Pitavia punctata and Citronella mucronata.
[0045] The foregoing description relates to the configuration of the figures, which refers to one of the preferred embodiments of the invention; however, it is important to consider that different aspects of said description may vary. For example, the number of units of equipment used, the type of equipment selected, the dimensions, the choice of materials, and specific aspects of the preferred configurations described above may vary or be modified based on the operational requirements. Accordingly, the description of the specific configurations described above is not intended to be limiting, and possible variations and/or modifications thereof are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (18)
- Claims 1. A method for the processing of minerals from the lanthanide group, which allows efficiency to be improved in terms of recovering the mineral and the resources involved in the process, the method including the steps of: a) reception and conditioning of the raw material (110), wherein a material of interest is obtained, which is mixed with a first recirculation flow to generate a first material flow of interest; b) sorting of the material flow of interest (120), wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation flow and sorted into a fine material line and a coarse material line; c) extraction of lanthanides (130), wherein the fine material line is put in contact with an ion exchange promoter solution and with a third recirculation flow, obtaining a flow of loaded material; d) precipitation of impurities (140), wherein the flow of loaded material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow and with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium hydroxide, anhydrous ammonia or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; e) precipitation of rare earth concentrate (150), wherein the incoming material makes contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; and f) drying of the rare earth concentrate (160); wherein the method includes the use of a waste solution treatment plant (170) that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows; wherein the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows comprise different solutions that are sorted into two types, a flow of "clean water", comprising a solution with a negligible concentration of ammonium and sulphate, which is used for washing spent material, and a flow of recirculated solution comprising a high concentration of ammonium sulphate.
- 2. The method according to claim 1, whereby, in the reception and conditioning of the raw material step (110), the first recirculation flow (201) comprises a flow of clean water, wherein the raw material enters a scrubber cylinder connected to a trommel, wherein the coarse particles are separated to be transferred to a waste tank and the remaining particles, mixed with the first recirculation flow (201), produce the first material flow of interest (301).
- 3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, whereby, in the material flow of interest sorting step (120), the first material flow of interest (301) is separated according to a threshold diameter, generating fine material and coarse material lines, wherein the particles of the coarse material line are separated and washed before being sent to a waste tank, and the fine material line is mixed with the second recirculation flow (202) to obtain the second material flow of interest (302).
- 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second recirculation flow (202) comprises two flows, a flow of clean water that is used to wash the particles from the coarse material line, and a flow of recirculated solution that is mixed with the fine material line.
- 5. The method according to any preceding claim, whereby, in the lanthanide extraction step (130), the second material flow of interest (302) is processed in thickeners, wherein it is put in contact with a solution for ion exchange comprising ammonium sulphate, a solution of dilute sulphuric acid to control the pH, a flocculant solution to improve the thickening process and with the third recirculation flow (203) which corresponds to a flow of recirculated solution.
- 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the external solid/liquid ratio is in a range between 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3, with a residence time between 1 and 4 hours, and the pH is controlled between 2 and 4.
- 7. The method according to claim 5 or claim 6, whereby, from the lanthanide extraction step (130), a flow of pulp with spent material (304) is obtained, which is sent to a solid/liquid separation step (135) wherein the remaining lanthanides contained in said pulp are recovered, in which a spent material solid (400) and a lanthanide-containing solution are obtained, and wherein the spent material solid (400) goes through a washing step with a flow of clean water before being sent to the waste tank.
- 8. The method according to any preceding claim, whereby, in the impurity precipitation step (140), the flow of lanthanide-laden material is processed in one or more stirred reactors, wherein the pH of the solution is adjusted in a range between 4.5 and 6, and with a residence time between 20 and 60 minutes, which allows impurities to be removed by precipitation.
- 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the material obtained, with the precipitated impurities, is subjected to a filtration process (145), wherein a spent solid (400) is obtained, which is washed with a flow of clean water before being sent to the waste tank and the solution obtained from washing the spent material is recirculated in the process.
- 10. The method according to any preceding claim, whereby, in the rare earth concentrate precipitation step (150), the incoming solution is processed in one or more stirred reactors, wherein it is put in contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, which allows the solution to reach a pH in the range between 6 and 7.5, with a residence time that is preferably between 20 and minutes, which facilitates lanthanide precipitation.
- 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a precipitated lanthanides laden flow (306) is obtained from the reactors, which is sent to a new solid/liquid separation step (151), wherein a flow of lanthanide-laden pulp (307) is obtained, which is sent to a washing step (152) and subsequent filtering step (153), and a liquid solution of spent material that is sent to the waste solution treatment plant (170).
- 12. A system for the processing of rare earth concentrate, including: - raw material reception and conditioning means, wherein a material of interest is obtained which is mixed with a first recirculation flow (201) to generate a first material flow of interest (301);- material flow of interest sorting means, wherein the incoming material is mixed with a second recirculation flow and sorted into a fine material line (302) and a coarse material line; - lanthanide extraction means, wherein the fine material line (302) is put in contact with a flow of an ion exchange promoter solution and with a third recirculation flow (203), and wherein a flow of loaded material (303) is obtained; - impurity precipitation means, wherein the flow of loaded material makes contact with a fourth recirculation flow (204) and with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in order to remove impurities by precipitation; - rare earth concentrate precipitation means, wherein the incoming material is put in contact with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; - rare earth concentrate drying means; and - a waste solution treatment plant (170) that receives solutions from the washing steps of depleted material and spent solution in the different steps of separation, sorting and washing of material and that generates the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows; wherein the first, second, third and fourth recirculation flows comprise different solutions that are sorted into two types, a flow of "clean water", comprising a solution with a negligible concentration of ammonium and sulphate, which is used for washing spent material, and a flow of recirculated solution comprising a high concentration of ammonium sulphate.
- 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the waste solution treatment plant (170) comprises a low total dissolved solids (TDS) solution treatment line and a high total dissolved solids (TDS) solution treatment line.
- 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the low TIDS solution treatment line processes solutions that come from washing depleted material, wherein the incoming flow is subjected to a softening step in a first softening plant (171), a manganese oxidation step (173) and then it is sent to a reverse osmosis plant (174), wherein the permeate obtained generates a flow of clean water that is used in different steps of the process.
- 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the high TIDS solution treatment line processes solutions that come from the rare earth concentrate precipitation means, wherein the flow enters a second softening plant (172), then a manganese oxidation step (175) and subsequently it is treated in a nanofiltration process (176), wherein the permeate obtained is sent to the filtration step by reverse osmosis (174).
- 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the high TIDS solution treatment line comprises the use of ion exchange columns for the removal of divalent cations, such as calcium, magnesium or manganese, and in the manganese oxidation step (175) its abatement is carried out as manganese oxide through the reaction with potassium permanganate or greensand filters, wherein the magnesium oxide is removed and mixed with depleted material to be sent to a waste tank.
- 17. The system according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the discard obtained in the nanofiltration process (176) is recirculated as an ion exchange agent to the lanthanide extraction means, and the permeate is treated jointly with the solutions that come from the different washing steps of depleted material (400).
- 18. The system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the waste solution treatment plant (170) further comprises an oxidation and neutralisation system (177) that processes the purges obtained from the softening steps (173, 175) of the low TDS and high TDS solutions, wherein the solutions are subjected to a process of oxidation and adjustment to basic pH, by adding potassium permanganate and lime slurry, mainly generating calcium sulphate dihydrate, and wherein the solution obtained is reused in the process.REE UNO SPA By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IPP2519AUOO
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL202202827 | 2022-10-13 | ||
| CL2022002827A CL2022002827A1 (en) | 2022-10-13 | 2022-10-13 | Method and system for processing rare earth concentrate |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| AU2023203580A1 true AU2023203580A1 (en) | 2024-05-02 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| AU2023203580A Pending AU2023203580A1 (en) | 2022-10-13 | 2023-06-08 | Method and system for processing rare earth concentrate |
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| Country | Link |
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| CN (1) | CN116607023A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2023203580A1 (en) |
| CL (1) | CL2022002827A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024079539A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4041125A (en) * | 1973-06-15 | 1977-08-09 | Forskningsgruppe For Sjeldne Jordarter | Process for separation of the lanthanides |
| FR2643911B1 (en) * | 1989-03-03 | 1992-06-12 | Rhone Poulenc Chimie | PROCESS FOR TREATING RARE EARTH ORES |
| US10422048B2 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2019-09-24 | The Board Of Regents Of The Nevada System Of Higher Education On Behalf Of The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas | Processes for recovering rare earth elements |
| CA2925149C (en) * | 2015-05-25 | 2022-10-04 | Xiamen Institute Of Rare Earth Materials | Extractant and method for extracting and separating yttrium |
| US11459637B2 (en) * | 2017-03-07 | 2022-10-04 | Ree Uno Spa | System and method for processing of minerals containing the lanthanide series and production of rare earth oxides |
| WO2022010759A2 (en) * | 2020-07-06 | 2022-01-13 | Ut-Battelle, Llc | Methods for separation and recovery of rare earth elements from aqueous solutions using diglycolamide derivatives |
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2022
- 2022-10-13 CL CL2022002827A patent/CL2022002827A1/en unknown
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2023
- 2023-05-17 CN CN202310555166.9A patent/CN116607023A/en active Pending
- 2023-06-07 WO PCT/IB2023/055888 patent/WO2024079539A1/en unknown
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| CL2022002827A1 (en) | 2023-01-20 |
| CN116607023A (en) | 2023-08-18 |
| WO2024079539A1 (en) | 2024-04-18 |
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