Processes for recovering rare earth elements

US10422048B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS · US
• CREATIVE INNOVATIONS AG · US

Inventors

• David Hatchett · Shenandoah Junction, US
• Kenneth R. Czerwinski · Seattle, US
• Janelle Droessler · Las Vegas, US
• Karen D. Jayne · Littleton, US
• Michael C. Kimble · Westford, US
• Kyle G. Boutin · Westford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2015
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2019
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C25C3/34
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for recovering a rare earth element. The process includes adding water and a nonaqueous acid to an ionic liquid, and dissolving an oxide of a first rare earth element directly into the ionic liquid to form an ionic solution comprising at least about 0.1 weight percent water, the acid and an ion of the first rare earth element. The process further includes applying a potential to the ionic solution to deposit the first rare earth element onto an electrode as a metal.