Patent · US Active

Rare earth enrichment process by contacting raw material with a base at specific pH values

US11827954B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
6References
26Claims
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Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 28, 2022
Grant dateNov 28, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 28, 2042

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/20
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods for preparing a hydraulic pre-concentrate enriched in rare earth elements and critical minerals, the method comprising: (a) contacting a raw material with a first base in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to a value from about 4.0 to about 6.0, thereby forming a mixture comprising a first aqueous phase and a first solid concentrate; (b) separating the first aqueous phase from the first solid concentrate; (c) contacting the first aqueous phase with a second base in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH to a value from about 7.0 to about 9.0, thereby forming a mixture comprising a second aqueous phase and the hydraulic pre-concentrate; (d) removing the second aqueous phase and collecting the hydraulic pre-concentrate; wherein the raw material comprises rare earth elements; and wherein the hydraulic pre-concentrate is enriched in rare earth elements.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.