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Materials Science and Engineering

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Leaching

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Optimization Of Rare Earth Leaching From Ores And Concentrates, Grant Wallace Apr 2015

Optimization Of Rare Earth Leaching From Ores And Concentrates, Grant Wallace

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The use of applied chemistry in the production and optimization of leach solutions from Rare Earth Element (REE) ores and concentrates was investigated. Ore and concentrate samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy/mineral liberation analysis (SEM/MLA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Inductively-coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Multiple leach tests were performed to analyze the effects of temperature, residence time, and reagent concentration on the leaching of REEs. Analysis of leach solutions was carried out using ICP-AES. Modeling and statistical analysis of extraction behavior was carried out using DesignExpert 9. Modeling data for multiple REEs indicate that extraction is strongly influenced …