Recovery of iron and rare earth elements from red mud through an acid leaching-stepwise extraction approach

A feasible approach to selectively recover iron and rare earth elements(REEs)from red mud through acid leaching-coordination-solvent extraction was proposed.The leaching efficiencies of Fe,Al,Ti,Sc,La,Ce,Nd and Y can reach up to 95.9%,82.1%,68.3%,93.3%,82.3%,96.9%,98.3%and 95.6%,respectively,under the optimal condition in the leaching process.Aliquat 336 showed excellent extraction performance of iron in chloride-rich solution,and the maximum extraction efficiency can reach over 96%in one time extraction while the loss of other metals was less than 10%,under the condition of Aliquat 336 concentration(v/v)of 30%,aqueous-organic ratio of 1.0 and extraction time of 20 min.Furthermore,P204 can effectively extract the scandium while Al and most other REEs remain in the aqueous phase.This approach may provide a new insight for the recovery of valuable resources from red mud.

Effects of Rare Earths and Al on Structure and Performance of High Chromium Cast Iron Containing Wolfram

Effects of RE and Al on the structure, impact toughness, hardness, and wear resistance of high chromium cast iron containing wolfram were investigated. The results show that without modification the volume fraction of austenite is high and the carbide appears to be thick lath and the grain size is relatively large; proper modification using RE combined with Al can reduce volume fraction of residual austenite in the as-cast structure obviously, refine grain size of primary austenite notably, and make the morphology of carbide changing from thick lath to thin lath, rosette, and feather-like modification can also increase hardness, wear resistance and impact toughness of cast iron.

A novel fused iron catalyst for ammonia synthesis promoted with rare earth gangue

Rare earth gangue, which mainly consists of mixtures of light rare earths such as lanthana, ceria, neodymium oxide and praseodymium oxide, was used as the promoter of fused iron catalysts for ammonia synthesis. The result showed that the activity of the catalyst promoted with rare earth gangue was comparable with those of commercial iron catalysts with high amount of cobalt. The role of rare earths was owed to their advantages for favoring the deep reduction of the main composite in catalyst, i.e., iron oxide. This fmding indicated that the use of rare earth gangue could decrease the content of cobalt or even completely replace cobalt, which was used to be regarded as unsub- stitutable promoters for high performance ammonia catalyst; therefore, the cost of fused iron catalysts would decrease significantly.

Effects of Light and Heavy Rare Earths on Anti-Degradation of Nodular Cast Iron

The effects of rare earths with different contents on anti-degradation of Y base heavy rare earths-magnesium and cerium base light rare earths-magnesium nodular cast iron were studied. Curves of the relationship between the spheroidization grade of liguid iron treated by different nodulizers and holding time were obtained. The results show that the more the remains of the rare earth, the longer the anti-degradation time, the liquid iron was treated either by Y-Mg-Si or by Ce-Mg-Si nodulizer. When the rare earth remains are above certain quantity, the spheroidization grade starts to decline. When liquid iron treated by either Y-Mg-Si or Ce-Mg-Si nodulizer with proper remains of rare earths about 0.04% 0.06%（mass fraction）, the anti-degradation is the best, and the remains of Mg being about 0.04% -0.07% （mass fraction）. Rare earths-Mg nodulizer with moderate RE remains is better than that of Mg-Si nodulizer in anti-degradation property. However, Y-Mg-Si nodulizer with moderate remins of Re is better than Ce-Mg-Si nodulizer. Sometimes Ce-Mg- Si nodulizer can be used for the production of heavy section nodular cast iron.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Carbide Morphology and Phase Transformation Dynamics of High Ni-Cr Alloy Cast Iron

The effect of rare earth(RE) elements on carbide of high NiCr alloy cast iron was investigated. Meanwhile, the continuous cooling transformation(CCT) curves of cast iron with and without RE addition were determined. The results show that the carbides in high NiCr cast iron can be refined and changed from network and long strip structures into island and block ones. The phase transformation temperature was raised and incubation period of bainite transformation was shortened by adding RE element in high NiCr alloy cast iron.

Morphology, chemical compositions and size distribution of rare earth oxides in pure iron

The pure iron was melted and deoxidized by metallic Al and rare earth elements La, Ce and Y respectively at 1600℃ in a vertical resistance furnace. The morphology, chemical composition and size distribution of the inclusions in deoxidized liquid iron have been investigated by using of SEM and image-analysis techniques. The investigated results show that the deoxidation products in molten iron are complex inclusions of rare earth oxide or A12O3 combined with FeO finely distributed. The proper holding time and rapid cooling rate can make inclusions finer. La, Y and Al are more effective than Ce for obtaining finely distributed inclusions.

RESEARCH ON THE APPLICATION OF RARE EARTHS IN IRON AND STEEL IN RECENT YEARS

China has the biggest rare earths resource in the world,no wonder she pays much at-tention to the application of rare earth metals (REM).The application of REM in iron andsteel in China began at the end of 1950’s.The production of REM-treated iron and steelhad been made steady progress in the period of 1980’s.The production of REM-treatediron and steel in 1989 was 1.4 million tons and 250,000 tons respectively.The interest oftreating steel with REM in China keeps growing even in these years,It comes from the nat-

Examination of Sarikaya(Yozgat-Turkey) iron mineralization with rare earth element(REE) method

Iron mineralizations in the study area are found in amphibolites in the localities of Buyukoren,Uzunkuyu-Atkayasi,and Karabacak and they display a predominantly banded texture.Their paragenesis is dominated by magnetite and hematite.In this study,iron mineralizations in Sarikaya were examined in terms of rare earth element(REE) contents and attempts were made to determine some physicochemical conditions that had an impact upon their formation.For this purpose,42 ore samples and 17 enriched magnetite samples...

Theoretical Foundations of Applications of Rare Earths on Cast Irons

Application of rare earths in cast iron is a traditional applied field of rare earths in industry. The consumption of rare earths on cast iron is the first rank in all applied fields in China. The affinity between rare earths and O,S and other elements in cast iron is strong enough,which is the foundation to improve microstructures and properties of cast iron. But dynamics of reaction of rare earths in cast iron is disappointed. Therefore,effects of application of rare earths in cast iron always fluctuate. The good effects can be got when dynamics of reaction of rare earths on cast iron is controlled and improved. It is proved by practice that microstructures and properties of cast iron,such as ductile iron,vermicular graphite cast iron,gray cast iron,white cast iron and so on,are improved with amonnt of rare earths incrtasing. There is 'double peaks effect' for strength of cast iron vs. addition of rare earths in cast iron. The application of rare earths in cast iron still possesses bright prospects nowadays and future.

Hydrothermal Synthesis, Characterization and Magnetic Properties of Rare Earth Iron Garnets Sm_3Fe_5O_(12) and Eu_3Fe_5O_(12)

The rare earth iron garnets R3Fe5O12（R=Sm, Eu） were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions, and their crystal growth was found to be sensitive to alkalinity, reaction temperature and time. The as-prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, infrared spectra（IR） and Raman spectrum. The M vs. H loops and magnetic parameters have been traced with a vibrating sample magnetometer（VSM） and superconducting quantum interference devices（SQUIDs） magnetometer. We proposed the formation mechanisms and formulated a reasonable explanation for their growth habits. Different morphologic characteristics were observed by changing alkalinity in the reaction systems. The magnetic studies gave saturation magnetization（Ms） and Curie temperature（TC）. The magnetic behaviors of Sm3Fe5O12 and Eu3Fe5O12 in mild hydrothermal systems are comparable with those in high temperature solid state reactions.

Research on rare earth and iron-rich diamond-enhanced tungsten carbide composite button

At the present time in china, the binder used in tungsten carbide composite button is mainly cobalt, which is very expensive. In order to solve the problems, a new type of rare earth and iron-rich diamond-enhanced tungsten carbide with high abrasive resistance and high toughness against impact, which realizes to substitute ferrum for cobalt, has been developed. The key problems in making the button are to improve the mechanical properties of matrix and increase the welding strength between the diamond and the matrix. All these problems have been solved effectively by low temperature activation hot-press sintering, doping rare earth lanthanum in matrix and high sintering pressure. The properties of the button have been determined under laboratory conditions. The test results show that its hardness is more than 90 HRA, its abrasive resistance is 39 times more than that of conventional cemented tungsten carbide, and its toughness against impact is more than 200 J. All these data show the button has very good mechanical properties.

Separation of Kaolinite from Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Tailings in Southern China and Iron Removal Treatment

Several hundred million tons of ion-adsorption rare earth tailings exist in Ganzhou, Southern China, which is a severe environmental hazard. To reduce and reutilize the tailing, kaolinite has been separated from the tailings by mechanical separation in laboratory scale and pilot scale. The results show that the tailing is mainly composed of fine kaolinite and coarse quart. Quartz and kaolinite can be separated by sieves, shaker, spiral chute or hydrocyclone, which has the similar results in laboratory scale and pilot scale. 30.2% of the tailings can be re-sourced and applied in ceramic industries. 41.7% of kaolinite can be obtained after sorting and iron removal by magnetic separator in pilot scale, which can be applied in ceramic industries according to the Chinese national standard (TC-3). The results give a progressive solution to re-source the tailings economically.

Effect of Rare Earths and Nitrogen on Graphite Structure of Gray Cast Iron

By means of inoculating, the effects of rare earths, N and RE N joint inoculants on the content and surface morphology of graphite of high CE gray cast irons were studied The results indicate that RE, N, and especially RE N joint inoculants make the content of graphite decrease; N and RE N joint inoculants could make the surface of graphite rougher and the heads of graphite flake passive

Influence of Surface Gas-Phase Rare Earth Permeation Plus Laser Melting Solidification on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Pure Iron

The samples of pure Fe were treated by surface gas phase RE permeation plus laser melting solidification (LMS). The microstructures were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), meanwhile the corrosion resistance was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization. The results show that this treatment can remarkably improve the density and uniformity of microstructure, and enhance corrosion resistance of the pure Fe surface.

EFFECT OF RARE EARTH ON MEDIUM-TEMPERATURE INTERNAL FRICTION OF COMMERCIALLY PURE IRON

The strong effect of rare earth(RE)on medium-temperature internal friction(IF)of commercially pure iron is closely related to the heat treatment.The RE added into iron has an alloying effect.The Snoek-Ke-Kster(briefly SKK)peak lower as the aging temperature in- creases from 150℃ to 450℃,but it still exists even aged at 600℃.However,the SKK peak temperature T_p does not simply falls as the ascending of aging temperature,it rises again at 600℃ aging.

Ion Probe Study of Silicate Inclusions from Colomera （IIE） Iron Meteorite： the Rare Earth Element Perspective

Coupled with a petrographical study, I carried out an ion probe study of rare earth element microdistributions in mineral phases of silicate inclusions from the Colomera ⅡE iron meteorite. Most mineral grains have homogeneous REEs, but show considerable inter-grain variations by a factor of 2 to 100. The whole rock REE abundances for Colomera, estimated by combining REE data with modal abundances, are relatively LREE-enriched with REEs of -10'CI, which suggest that Colomera silicates were highly differentiated and might represent a low degree partial melt (-10%) of a chondritic source. REE geochemistry of Colomera silicate inclusions points to an origin that involves differentiation, dynamic mixing, remelting, reduction, recrystallization, and subsequent rapid cooling near the surface of a planetary body.

Influence of Heating Temperature on Property of Low Chromium Wear Resistant Cast Iron Containing Rare Earth

The influence of heating temperature on mechanical properties of low chromium wear resistant cast iron containing rare earth elements was studied by means of metallographic examination, scanning electron microscopic examination and mechanical property test. The experimental results show that heating temperature has great effect on impact toughness (α_k), bending fatigue (σ_(bb)) and relative toughness (σ_(bb)×f), but little effect on hardness (HRC). When the specimen was held at 960 ℃ for 3 h, it has better comprehensive mechanical properties, and the reason and regularity of the change for mechanical properties of the cast iron were reviewed.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Thermal Fatigue of High Ni－Cr Alloy Cast Iron

The effect of RE on crack forming and developing of hot rolled high Ni-Cr alloy cast iron during thermal fatigue test was investigated.It shows that the serviceable life of hot rolled high Ni-Cr alloy cast iron can be improved by RE.The number of cycle before fracture was increased by 42%～163%.The optimum of RE addition is 0.05 wt%～0.15wt%.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Dynamics of Thermal Fatigue Crack′s Propagation in Low Alloy White Cast Iron

The effect of rare earth elements on dynamics of thermal fatigue crack′s propagation in low alloy white cast iron was studied. The results show that the generation and growth of the thermal fatigue crack can be restrained and the activation energy for the crack′s propagation can be increased by adding a certain amount of RE, and especially, the restraint for the thermal fatigue crack′s propagation is more evident under the combined action of RE and heat treatment at high working temperatures, which can be attributed to the segregation of RE to interfaces, the participation of granular carbides and the change of eutectic carbide morphology.

Influence of Rare Earth on Wear Resistance of Wear Resistant Cast Iron Containing Low Alloy

The Influence of RE on wear resistance of wear resistant cast iron containing low alloy was studied by means of slide wear and impact wear test. Moreover, its microstructure and characteristics of wearing surface was analyzed. The experimental results show that RE can improve the wear resistance of wear resistant cast iron containing low alloy, especially for impact wear resistance. The optimum wear resistance of wear resistant cast iron containing low alloy modified by RE of 0.046% can be obtained by normalization at 950 ℃ for 3 h. Moreover, the coordinated effect of rare earths and heat treatment was also revealed in this paper.