Method for the Purification of Complex Rare Earth Element Mixtures

Back to all technologies
Download as PDF
2020-WANG-68877
Researchers at Purdue University have developed new techniques to recover rare earth elements. Rare earth elements (REEs) are a series of elements in the periodic table with properties that make them useful in electronic and magnetic devices. Recovery of REEs is important because pure REEs are produced only in a few countries and regions around the world. Current methods for purification of REEs involve liquid-liquid extraction, which creates toxic waste. The Purdue researchers have developed an efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly ligand-assisted chromatography methods to produce high-purity REEs. This method involves multiple zones to produce high-purity REEs from complex mixtures. It is a low cost as well as domestic REE production method that generates nearly zero waste.

Advantages:
- Nearly zero waste
- Low cost
- Provides domestic production of rare earth elements

Applications
- Production of REEs from minerals or wastes

Technology Validation: In a bastnasite mixture with six rare earth elements, high yield, high purity (>99%) Ce, La, Nd, and Pr were recovered using the researchers’ method. More than 95% of the chemicals used in the process can be recovered and reused.
Aug 5, 2022
NATL-Patent
United States
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
PCT-Gov. Funding
WO
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
NATL-Patent
Canada
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
NATL-Patent
Europe
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
NATL-Patent
Japan
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
NATL-Patent
South Korea
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
NATL-Patent
Vietnam
(None)
(None)

Jan 28, 2021
NATL-Patent
Thailand
(None)
(None)

Feb 28, 2020
Provisional-Gov. Funding
United States
(None)
(None)

(None)
NATL-Patent
Australia
(None)
(None)

(None)
NATL-Patent
South Africa
(None)
(None)
Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization
The Convergence Center
101 Foundry Drive, Suite 2500
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Phone: (765) 588-3475
Fax: (765) 463-3486
Email: otcip@prf.org