Coordination-reduction leaching process of ion-adsorption type rare earth ore with ascorbic acid

The magnesium sulfate(MgSO_(4))-ascorbic acid(Vc)compound leaching technique can extract rare earth elements(REEs)existing in ion-exchangeable phase and colloidal phase from ion-adso rption type rare earth ore through the synergy effect of coordination and reduction,but its reaction process and mechanism remain unclear.In this paper,the coordination-reduction leaching mechanism was analyzed from the perspectives of leaching thermodynamics and kinetics,which provide theoretical guidance for the compound leaching process.In the case of neodymium,about 45%of dissolved neodymium will exist as the complex species of NdVc_(()3(aq))in Nd-Vc-sulfate system.Based on this,it is deduced that the Gibbs free energy of the leaching reaction of ion-exchangeable phase REEs will change to a more negative value through the coordination of REEs cations and Vc anions in the MgSO_(4)leaching process.In addition,the E_(h)-pH diagrams of Ce-SO_(4)^(2-)-H_(2)O and Fe-SO_(4)^(2-)-H_(2)O together with the dissolution experiments confirm that the added Vc initiates the leaching process of colloidal phase REEs through reduction-dissolution reaction.Through the study of leaching kinetics,the leaching of REEs is controlled by diffusion and chemical reaction in the co mpound leaching system since colloidal phase REEs are leached.Therefore,the addition of Vc can shift the leaching equilibrium to a more favorable state and accelerate leaching process.The rare earth leaching efficiency of ion-exchangeable phase and colloidal phase can be effectively improved by increasing the reaction temperature,the conce ntrations of leaching agent and Vc,and the leaching agent acidity.

Insight into leaching of rare earth and aluminum from ion adsorption type rare earth ore:Adsorption and desorption

Clay minerals are inferred to be the primary host materials for ion-exchangeable rare earth in ion adsorption type rare earth ore(IAREO).During the rare earth leaching process,the adsorption and desorption reactions of the cations controlling the leaching process continue to occur at the clay minerals-leaching agent solution interface.In order to understand the leaching mechanism and behavior of rare earth and co-leached aluminum,adsorption,competitive adsorption,and desorption experiments were carried out using kaolin as a typical clay mineral.The powerful electrostatic attraction and concentration driving forces facilitate the adsorption of cations.The adsorption ability and competitive adsorption ability of cations depend on their charge,hydration radius,and hydrolysis properties,and decrease in the order of La^(3+),Y^(3+),Al^(3+),Mg^(2+),and NH_(4)^(+).The desorption of rare earth and aluminum is positively affected by the concentration-driving force exerted by high concentrations of Mg^(2+) and NH_(4)^(+),with the order of the desorption ability being opposite to the adsorption ability.However,unspecified interactions between clay mineral particles enhanced by high-concentration desorbents,especially by Mg^(2+) than NH_(4)^(+),will adversely affect desorption reactions,which result in lower desorption efficiencies of rare earth and aluminum obtained with magnesium sulfate compared to those obtained with ammonium sulfate at high concentrations.Solid-phase Al(OH)_(3) generated at a high peak aluminum concentration leads to a considerably delayed aluminum efflux,thereby partially separating the rare earth from aluminum during the actual column leaching process.To advance the mining technology of IAREO by selectively improving the rare earth leaching efficiency with minimal leaching agent consumption,higher charged cations with concentrations limited to suitable levels should be preferred as leaching agents.

Progress in green and efficient enrichment of rare earth from leaching liquor of ion adsorption type rare earth ores

Ion adsorption type rare earth ores(IATREOs)are a valuable strategic mineral resource in China,which feature a complete composition of fifteen rare earth elements and are rich in medium and heavy rare earth(RE)elements.In the leaching process for recovering rare earth elements from IATREOs,many impurities will be leached together with rare earth elements and enter the leaching liquor.An impurity removal-precipitation enrichment technique is currently applied to selectively recovery rare earth elements from the leaching liquor with the high content of impurities and low concentration of rare earth elements by using ammonium bicarbonate in the industry.However,a high loss of rare earth elements and severe ammonia nitrogen pollution are caused by this process.Therefore,more beneficial impurities removal technologies,mainly for aluminum,and green enrichment technologies with lower pollution are now urgently needed.For this purpose,this paper analyzed two aspects of research progress in recent decades:the green separation of rare earth elements and aluminum from leaching liquor and the green and efficient enrichment of rare earth elements.Finally,an approach for the high-efficiency and green enrichment of rare earth elements from leaching liquor of the IATREOs is proposed in several aspects,including impurity inhibition leaching,neutralization and impurity removal,alkaline calcium and magnesium salt precipitation enrichment,and centrifugal extraction enrichment.

Biosorption of Cr（VI） by carbonized Eupatorium adenophorum and Buckwheat straw： thermodynamics and mechanism

High quality and low cost carbon can be prepared from Eupatorium adenophorum （E. adenophorum） and Buckwheat straw. The biosorbent was used for Cr（VI） removal. The effect of experimental parameters, such as pH, sorbent dosage and temperature were examined and the optimal experimental condition was determned. Solution pH is found influencing the adsorp- tion. Cr（VI） removal efficiency is found to be maximum （98%） at pH= 1. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were applicable to the adsorption process and their constants were evaluated. The adsorption data obtained agreed well with the Langmuir sorption isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacities for Cr（VI） ranged from 46.23 to 55.19mg.g^-1 for temperature between 298 K and 308 K under the condition of pH = 1.0. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change （AG）, enthalpy （AH） and entropy （AS） indicate a spontaneous, endothermic and increased randomness nature of Cr（VI） adsorption. Studies found that the raw E. adenophorum and buckwheat straw mixed materials with simple treatment had a high efficiency for the removal of Cr（VI） and would be a promising adsorbent.