Partitioning behavior and mechanisms of rare earth elements during precipitation in acid mine drainage

Qi Li; Bin Ji; Rick Honaker; Aaron Noble; Wencai Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128563

Partitioning behavior and mechanisms of rare earth elements during precipitation in acid mine drainage

Qi Li, Bin Ji, Rick Honaker, Aaron Noble, Wencai Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rare earth elements (REEs) are frequently found concentrated in acid mine drainage (AMD). The recovery of REEs from AMD has been successfully achieved using selective chemical precipitation. However, a portion of the REEs is often lost to the precipitates of the dominant metal contaminant ions. To better understand the REE partitioning behavior and mechanisms during the precipitation process, a systematic study was performed on both natural and synthetic AMD solutions. Precipitation test results show that REE removal was noticeably elevated at pH 4.0 after adding H₂O₂ to convert ferrous to ferric ions, causing nearly complete precipitation of iron. Solution equilibrium calculations suggested that the REE removal increase was realized through adsorption onto the surfaces of the ferric precipitates. The presence of aluminum species in the solutions reduced the adsorption of REEs on the ferric precipitates. Based on electro-kinetic test results, it was concluded that aluminum species neutralize the negative surface charge of the ferric precipitates and compete with REEs for the adsorption active sites. The presence of ferrous ions in the solutions reduced REE adsorption on the aluminum precipitates at lower pH values (e.g., 5.0) due to competitive adsorption. However, at higher pH values (e.g., 6.0), REE removal to the precipitate product increased due to the precipitation of ferrous ions. In addition to the electro-kinetic tests and solution equilibrium calculations, mineralogy characterization, specific surface area measurement, particle size analysis, and morphology analysis were also conducted to investigate and identify the partitioning mechanisms.

Original language	English
Article number	128563
Journal	Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Volume	641
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128563
State	Published - May 20 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0031827. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

Funding Information:
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0031827 .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

Acid mine drainage
Partitioning behavior
Partitioning mechanisms
Precipitation
Rare earth elements

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Surfaces and Interfaces
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128563

Cite this

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title = "Partitioning behavior and mechanisms of rare earth elements during precipitation in acid mine drainage",

abstract = "Rare earth elements (REEs) are frequently found concentrated in acid mine drainage (AMD). The recovery of REEs from AMD has been successfully achieved using selective chemical precipitation. However, a portion of the REEs is often lost to the precipitates of the dominant metal contaminant ions. To better understand the REE partitioning behavior and mechanisms during the precipitation process, a systematic study was performed on both natural and synthetic AMD solutions. Precipitation test results show that REE removal was noticeably elevated at pH 4.0 after adding H2O2 to convert ferrous to ferric ions, causing nearly complete precipitation of iron. Solution equilibrium calculations suggested that the REE removal increase was realized through adsorption onto the surfaces of the ferric precipitates. The presence of aluminum species in the solutions reduced the adsorption of REEs on the ferric precipitates. Based on electro-kinetic test results, it was concluded that aluminum species neutralize the negative surface charge of the ferric precipitates and compete with REEs for the adsorption active sites. The presence of ferrous ions in the solutions reduced REE adsorption on the aluminum precipitates at lower pH values (e.g., 5.0) due to competitive adsorption. However, at higher pH values (e.g., 6.0), REE removal to the precipitate product increased due to the precipitation of ferrous ions. In addition to the electro-kinetic tests and solution equilibrium calculations, mineralogy characterization, specific surface area measurement, particle size analysis, and morphology analysis were also conducted to investigate and identify the partitioning mechanisms.",

keywords = "Acid mine drainage, Partitioning behavior, Partitioning mechanisms, Precipitation, Rare earth elements",

author = "Qi Li and Bin Ji and Rick Honaker and Aaron Noble and Wencai Zhang",

note = "Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0031827. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0031827 . Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Elsevier B.V.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128563",

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T1 - Partitioning behavior and mechanisms of rare earth elements during precipitation in acid mine drainage

AU - Li, Qi

AU - Ji, Bin

AU - Honaker, Rick

AU - Noble, Aaron

AU - Zhang, Wencai

N1 - Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0031827. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Funding Information: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Award Number DE-FE0031827 . Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2022/5/20

Y1 - 2022/5/20

N2 - Rare earth elements (REEs) are frequently found concentrated in acid mine drainage (AMD). The recovery of REEs from AMD has been successfully achieved using selective chemical precipitation. However, a portion of the REEs is often lost to the precipitates of the dominant metal contaminant ions. To better understand the REE partitioning behavior and mechanisms during the precipitation process, a systematic study was performed on both natural and synthetic AMD solutions. Precipitation test results show that REE removal was noticeably elevated at pH 4.0 after adding H2O2 to convert ferrous to ferric ions, causing nearly complete precipitation of iron. Solution equilibrium calculations suggested that the REE removal increase was realized through adsorption onto the surfaces of the ferric precipitates. The presence of aluminum species in the solutions reduced the adsorption of REEs on the ferric precipitates. Based on electro-kinetic test results, it was concluded that aluminum species neutralize the negative surface charge of the ferric precipitates and compete with REEs for the adsorption active sites. The presence of ferrous ions in the solutions reduced REE adsorption on the aluminum precipitates at lower pH values (e.g., 5.0) due to competitive adsorption. However, at higher pH values (e.g., 6.0), REE removal to the precipitate product increased due to the precipitation of ferrous ions. In addition to the electro-kinetic tests and solution equilibrium calculations, mineralogy characterization, specific surface area measurement, particle size analysis, and morphology analysis were also conducted to investigate and identify the partitioning mechanisms.

AB - Rare earth elements (REEs) are frequently found concentrated in acid mine drainage (AMD). The recovery of REEs from AMD has been successfully achieved using selective chemical precipitation. However, a portion of the REEs is often lost to the precipitates of the dominant metal contaminant ions. To better understand the REE partitioning behavior and mechanisms during the precipitation process, a systematic study was performed on both natural and synthetic AMD solutions. Precipitation test results show that REE removal was noticeably elevated at pH 4.0 after adding H2O2 to convert ferrous to ferric ions, causing nearly complete precipitation of iron. Solution equilibrium calculations suggested that the REE removal increase was realized through adsorption onto the surfaces of the ferric precipitates. The presence of aluminum species in the solutions reduced the adsorption of REEs on the ferric precipitates. Based on electro-kinetic test results, it was concluded that aluminum species neutralize the negative surface charge of the ferric precipitates and compete with REEs for the adsorption active sites. The presence of ferrous ions in the solutions reduced REE adsorption on the aluminum precipitates at lower pH values (e.g., 5.0) due to competitive adsorption. However, at higher pH values (e.g., 6.0), REE removal to the precipitate product increased due to the precipitation of ferrous ions. In addition to the electro-kinetic tests and solution equilibrium calculations, mineralogy characterization, specific surface area measurement, particle size analysis, and morphology analysis were also conducted to investigate and identify the partitioning mechanisms.

KW - Acid mine drainage

KW - Partitioning behavior

KW - Partitioning mechanisms

KW - Precipitation

KW - Rare earth elements

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JO - Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

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M1 - 128563

ER -

Partitioning behavior and mechanisms of rare earth elements during precipitation in acid mine drainage

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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